F is for Fanfare for the Common Man
There are some pieces of music that require no words, that move people (some people) almost to tears. Music that makes a listener's heart seem to pause.
Aaron Copland was commissioned by the Cincinnati (Ohio, US) symphony orchestra as a sort of response to the entry of the United States into World War II. The title 'Fanfare for Soldiers' was suggested, but Copland chose 'Fanfare for the Common Man'. It premiered in March of 1943.
I first heard it in High School. It was splendid, magnificent - and to imagine that such splendor and magnificence could pertain to we, the common people, was an eye-opening thought to one whose reading had been in history, and who had been dazzled by 'the captains and the kings'.
"You compose because you want to somehow summarize
in some permanent form your most basic feelings about being alive, to set
down... some sort of permanent statement about the way it feels to live now,
today." - Aaron Copland
Revel in the music - it was written for you. Click on the title to enjoy the fanfare performed by the United States Marine Band:
Fanfare for the Common Man (YouTube)
Thanks for teaching about this piece of history. Never knew the story behind this famous and wonderful piece of music.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard this piece...thanks for sharing it, Diana! Happy A to Z!
ReplyDeleteMakingtheWriteConnections
This one always gives me goosebumps! :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful piece of music - I am listening to it as I write. A very informative blog post, too; I have learned something today. Hope you can stop by my blog at some point at:
ReplyDeleteGenWestUK
The first time I heard Aaron Copland was overpowering. His music felt so American I wanted to cry. Our music...our land...our people!
ReplyDeleteThis one always gives me goosebumps
ReplyDeleteThanks for including this music in your A-Z. I think it would be appropriate at a funeral for the right person.
ReplyDelete