Aaron Copland

Smithsonian Collections

Exhibition Label: In the course of his musical career, Aaron Copland distinguished himself as a conductor, teacher, and critic. But his greatest accomplishments by far were in the field of composing. Long regarded as the dean of American composers, Copland received his training in Paris. His grounding in European music, however, did not diminish his interest in exploring the musical styles and traditions of his own country. In fact, his compositions drew much of their inspiration from American sources, ranging from jazz to cowboy ballads to New England hymns. Copland’s prodigious output included operas, ballets, choral pieces, film scores, and symphonies. Among his best-known works are Appalachian Spring (1943), a ballet commissioned for Martha Graham’s dance company, and his Third Symphony (1944–46), which conductor Serge Koussevitsky called the “greatest American symphony.”; Karsh responded warmly to Copland, observing, “There was about him a certain candour and friendliness that endeared him to me at once.”

Credit Line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Estrellita Karsh in memory of Yousuf Karsh

Medium: Gelatin silver print
Dimensions: Image: 17.9 × 21.6 cm (7 1/16 × 8 1/2"); Sheet: 35.4 × 27.5 cm (13 15/16 × 10 13/16"); Mount: 40.7 × 33 cm (16 × 13"); Mat (Karsh exhibit): 55.9 × 40.6 cm (22 × 16")

Topic: Music\Sheet music; Aaron Copland: Male; Aaron Copland: Performing Arts\Performer\Musician\Composer; Aaron Copland: Performing Arts\Performer\Musician\Conductor; Aaron Copland: Pulitzer Prize; Aaron Copland: Oscar; Aaron Copland: Presidential Medal of Freedom; Aaron Copland: Congressional Gold Medal; Portrait

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