parker@psuvax.UUCP (Bruce Parker) (05/30/84)
From whuxj!wjm (Bill Mitchell) Tue May 29 13:55:29 1984 Last Thursday, I went to an all-Copeland concert at Carnegie Hall by the Pittsburgh Symphony under Andre Previn. The concert had a mix of some of Copeland's pre World War II works which I enjoy (e.g. Appalacian Spring, El Salon Mexico, Rodeo) - although I was disappointed by this performance of them and some of the later works which I don't like (e.g. his 1962 "Connotations") Frankly, I find it hard to relate to "modern" classical music - it doesn't contain sound patterns that I can relate to as musical in the way that pre-twentieth century classical music, or relatively modern jazz works do. The fact that you didn't spell either Aaron Copland or Appalachian Spring correctly suggests that you may not have read the program notes. Granted Carnegie Hall notes are usually mediocre, but they might have given you some clue as to what you should expect and listen, especially in "Connotations". You shouldn't be too surprised to hear new sounds from late Copland works if all you listen to is jazz or pre-20th century classical western works. It takes some listening. I would suggest that, if you like Copland as much as you seem to, you should try listening to a few of his later works several times. Try especially to listen for some of the characteristics in his earlier works which appeal to you and which carry over into the later works.