Copland 125 Anniversary Concert

The Copland 125 Anniversary Concert is a celebration of the music of Aaron Copland through works for organ, piano and chorus. The concert will be hosted by blogger and superfan Kevin Lindegaard of aaron-copland.com. Jonathan Price will get the party started with an organ transcription of Fanfare for the Common Man which will no doubt make the church shake! Allan Schiller will play Copland miniatures from across Copland's 70 year career as well as Leonard Bernstein's 7 Anniversaries: No. 1, For Aaron Copland. The University of Bristol Singers conducted by Elinor Cooper will perform some of Copland’s wonderful choral music such as At the River and The Promise of Living alongside the magnificent In the Beginning and the choral finale from Canticle of Freedom. The soloist is soprano Liz Britton.

Aaron Copland (copyright John Ardoin)

Most composer anniversaries simply look back at the achievements of a composer. Copland 125 is different. Aaron Copland was a forward looking composer who always encouraged people to open up their ears to new music. One of Copland’s last orchestral works was called Music for a Great City. Lindegaard who is based in Bristol intends to use Copland 125 as a vehicle to create a music fund helping to resurrect neglected masterworks whilst also shining a light on new music by living, breathing composers.