Symphony No. 3 (1946) — Aaron Copland (New York Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein)

Referred to by his peers and critics as “the Dean of American Composers“, Aaron Copland is one of the most influential musicians in the history of the United States. His open, slowly changing harmonies in much of his music are typical of what many people consider to be the sound of American music, evoking the vast American landscape and pioneer spirit. His Third Symphony is one of the primary examples of showing his musical versatility and craftsmanship. Written at the end of World War II, it is known as the essential American symphony that fuses his distinct “Americana“ style of the ballets (Rodeo, etc.) with the form of the symphony, which has generally been a European-dominated musical form. The Fanfare for the Common Man, written in 1942, is used as a theme in the fourth movement. COMPOSER: Aaron Copland CONDUCTOR: Leonard Bernstein ORCHESTRA: New York Philharmonic Recorded in 1986 by Deutsche Grammophon TRACKLIST: 0:00 - I. Molto moderato 10:59 - II.