Rerurn to Romy the Cat's Site

I wonder what would symbolize American music of 20th century in 500 years; of course I am talking about classical music. Sure people will remember John Williams, William Bolcom, George Walker, Elliott Carter, Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, John Coolidge Adams, Charles Ives, George Gershwin, Alan Hovhaness and many others. Still, none of them in my view will be recognized as somebody who was responsible for distinctly American Sound of 20th century as they did not do anything deterrent then anybody else did in 20th century. With one exception….

Gershwin and Copland in 20s played with idea of mixing jazz with classical music and they come up with a number of semi-ridicules in my view compositions. Still, those compositions I feel might be something that would symbolize American music of 20th century in 500 years.

I was looking today to play something like this and pulled out Copland’s Concerto for piano and orchestra. It is not a tremendously popular work but if to accept the premise of the idea then it is truly wonderful work… if properly performed.  To celebrating the 4th I was listening it today and I end up listening it… 3 times. What would be more American then Leonard Bernstein conducting New York Philharmonic and Aaron Copland himself leading his own piano orchestra? Alternatively what might be more American then the true authentic American conductor Michael Tilson Thomas and true authentic American pianist Garrick Ohlsson play the Copland’s Concerto with San Francisco Symphony?

I have to admit that it might be fun music…

Rerurn to Romy the Cat's Site