Aaron Copland was one of the most influential American classical composers of the twentieth century. He wrote some of the most iconic and renowned classical works in history, such as Appalachian Spring, Fanfare for the Common Man, and Rodeo. He has had a tremendous impact on American music, and his compositions have been performed by orchestras all over the world.
But what many people don’t know is that Aaron Copland also composed for ballet. His first foray into ballet composition came in 1924 with his score for Grohg. This ballet was produced by dancer and choreographer Martha Graham, who was a major influence on Copland’s work.
The collaboration between Copland and Graham continued throughout their careers, with Copland writing scores for sixteen ballets choreographed by Graham. These ballets included some of his most popular works such as Appalachian Spring, Embattled Garden, and Seraphic Dialogue.
Copland also wrote several other ballets in his lifetime, including Connotations, Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, and Dance Panels.. He collaborated with other choreographers such as Merce Cunningham, Agnes de Mille, and Eugene Loring. While his ballets may not be as widely known as his orchestral works, they remain an important part of his legacy.
In addition to composing scores for ballets, Aaron Copland also wrote several film scores during the 1940s. He won an Oscar for his score for The Heiress in 1949.
This score combined elements from both classical music and jazz music to create a unique sound that was unlike anything else at the time. This style would become known as “film noir” scoring and would greatly influence film scoring thereafter.
Aaron Copland made a huge impact on American music through both composition and performance. His ballet scores remain an important part of his legacy, along with his orchestral pieces, concertos, chamber works, film scores, and more. Through these works he has left us a lasting mark on American culture that will never be forgotten.
What Ballet Did Aaron Copland? Aaron Copland composed scores for sixteen ballets choreographed by Martha Graham as well as several other ballets with different choreographers throughout his lifetime including Connotations, Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, Dance Panels,and more . His scores combined elements from both classical music and jazz music to create a unique sound that greatly influenced film scoring thereafter.