I love that the composer who best captured the beauty and majesty of the United States was a Jewish kid from Brooklyn born of immigrant parents. What's more American than that?
I could not have said it better. I had the rare honor of hearing him speak to a group of a few hundred while I was in college. He was every bit a Brooklyn Jew... very funny, and had not time for "music scholars" who sat on the panel with him. He was utterly charming. I grew up in Kansas.... and I could not agree more about your comment about his link to America. If I heard something by Copland for the first time, I think I would immediately link it to him. Without quoting something directly from America's past, his music just ... SOUNDED American. I think he became the first truly American Nationalist composer. Russia has zillions, but we have Copland.
Thank you for sharing your views on Copland. He's one of my favorite American composers. His music is so full of hope and compassion. Greetings from a Frenchman in Brazil and Happy 2019.@@dsti-xi7dl
@@jeanlou79 Merci bien. Oui j'aime Copland. Et aussi Bernstein. Copland et Bernstein etaient amical. On dit peut etre amoureux. A mon avis sa Symphony troisieme est son chef-d'oeuvre. Happy New Year to you !
This is such a beautiful piece and a classic musical "dreamscape" by Copland....so melodic, peaceful, haunting and comforting. Makes one want to find and green, open field to go and run in........makes you long for simpler, less complicated times, which Our Town the play depicted.
This magnificent piece of music - played so well- reminds me of how life used to be when growing up. I think back of all the friends I lost that went before me. My family - funerals that went by. I think and just reflect. And then I have a good cry.
I agree. There are 2 or 3 pieces of music that I have heard that has this same effect. It's like somebody wrote a soundtrack for your own life..................and you can listen to the music and just see it going by....................
There are no words to describe the ordinariness and normalcy, juxtaposed with inconsolable heartbreak and majesty, of this piece. Much as I like the play, this overture is bigger.
I remember playing this piece for my youth symphony in Minot, ND. What a beautiful piece to play. Our conductor asked if I could do the flute solo parts. I was 1st trumpet. So I decided to put a little change in it, and played the solo on the piccolo trumpet. Loved the feeling that is put into this piece of music. When I played it, my parents cried. Awesome piece of music.
I find it unfortunately that there are no comments at all on the performance by this University orchestra. Let me say that I think it's a beautiful performance and captures the true essence and feeling of this deeply moving piece. I should add that my favorite part of the piece is the last quarter that starts with the forte unison two note figure, which starts the section that is the title music in the 1940 movie. Just perfect to take me to another time and place, which in this era, I need more and more.
I love the sense of quiet nobility in this piece. It's one of my favorites. The stage play was pretty good too. I remember reading it in high school. We were told we'd either love it or find it extremely boring. Back then, I fell into the latter category. But these days, I've developed an appreciate for it, particularly the third act in the cemetery.
Grover's Corners, New Hampshire - when Thornton Wilder wrote the play, and by extension the screenplay, he modeled Grover's Corners after the town of Peterborough, approximately halfway between Keene and Manchester. And Peterborough is the quintessential "Our Town." Aaron Copland was approached to write the soundtrack music by Thornton Wilder himself, and at that time he was hard put to get it right. To his credit, I truly believe he did.
I'm having this played at my memorial service. It's also my favorite play, especially Act 3 where Emily asks, "Do any human beings realize life while they live it, every, every moment?". The Stage manager replies, "No......the saints and poets maybe, they do some."
Diane Allen , this performance was recorded by Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA for their records, but I do not know if they sell those recordings.
This piece takes me back 60 years when life and times were so simple that people smiled and said hello to each other, they cared for the feelings and well being of their neighbors. but today, well????????????????????????????????????????????????
That's because Carol you are looking at the song from the wrong perspective. The song doesn't take place in the past, but in the future. The song is emblematic of the "Shining City on the Hill." It is about us coming together to build the emotions that you feel into something real. The song has existed for you. It has yet to exist for me and for thousands if not millions like me. That is the key. That is the goal. That is the promise of America. Contentment. That we will be ok. Because that is all we could ever hope for, as Americans. Contentment. Peace.
I saw the film in the early 1960s when at university (in England UK) and was haunted by the music, which I remembered better than the film (which can be seen on RUclips). Although English, it has always sounded to me as American - perhaps because of its "freshness" and "nerve" (best words I can think of). Beautiful music and well played.
I lived in a town like depicted by this orchestral piece. Everyone knew their neighbor's business. Also, a ring telephone let you know when a neighbor was placing a call. Us kids would listen in. No fun now.
Years ago, I was fortunate to listened to this suite before finally watching the movie on public television. Both Adrienne and the orchestra had put their heart and soul into this wonderful performance which matched my feelings when I listened to the suite for the first time. And I would like to play with Ms. Shields as my conductor.
No one has ever written the pastoral, the simple, the truth of music quite like Copland. At least not in America. I love it because it reminds me of growing up when America had a heart and a heartland. Life seems so confusing now.
Such a graceful, mesmerizing conductor. This piece, as Nancy Ann said, evokes memories, people I loved who passed away, and like she said, I have a good cry as well.
such a beautiful, sensitive version of this piece, I've replayed this video so much in the last few months, thank you, I really don't know how you can bring such unified heartfelt emotion out in a group of musicians like that, you're an absolute talent.
I see and feel the grandioseness of our spreading country's continental frontier before me whenever I hear this, it enlightens. moves, inspires and propells me...
What a stunning piece of music. We had the best seat in the house, watching your face while conducting this was priceless, you have a great talent and obviously love music deeply. Thank you....
Nancy, If all those times were fond and even the difficult times what a treasure of memories you have. I too now have relationships gone and look forward to an afterlife with them and more joyful times. They treasure your tears and they keep them in a crystal vial for you until you join them
The tempo is perfect with precise emphasis to elicit passionate reflection and an abiding quiescent flow of memorable moments. It slows a little too much at a point or two, but really just lovely. That said, I prefer Maestro Adrienne to Aaron Copland conducting this piece!!! Did he lose his love for this piece perhaps!? Ah, but we have found a conducter who has fallen in love with this piece! 👏 bravo 👏 🙌
Adrienne Shields, congratulations to you & your orchestra for this wonderful performance! I've been looking for just such a performance to match the strong memory of a moving TV broadcast of the play my dad & I saw back in the 70s or 80s. I remember my dad was so moved by the play & the score. I was, too. They evoke such memories of growing up in small town Augusta, Wisconsin for me and in Mondovi, Wisconsin for my dad, who died 15 years ago at 85. I also appreciated very much reading and reflecting on the many comments after your performance. Is there more to this score, or is the almost 10 minutes here all that Copland wrote for the 1940 movie? If there's more, I'd like to find it...
Hello John! Thank you for your kind words. Copland wrote the entire score for the 1940 film version of Wilder's play. Shortly after the premier, Copland arranged about ten minutes from the score for a suite. This version was debuted in 1945 and is dedicated to Leonard Bernstein, who conducted the premier performance. I do not know if there are recordings of the original film score available. You will have to let me know if you find it!
This piece evokes very deep emotions for me. It is the background music used for the documentary "JFK - A Time Remembered," a twenty-fifth anniversary documentary of the Kennedy Assassination. Since the piece was obviously written before that event, the producer who selected this piece must have identified on a deep level the emotions I continue to feel, and the emotions this beautiful music brings to such a tragic and senseless event.
Whenever l hear this song I stop and remember my childhood in a small town.
I love that the composer who best captured the beauty and majesty of the United States was a Jewish kid from Brooklyn born of immigrant parents. What's more American than that?
I could not have said it better. I had the rare honor of hearing him speak to a group of a few hundred while I was in college. He was every bit a Brooklyn Jew... very funny, and had not time for "music scholars" who sat on the panel with him. He was utterly charming. I grew up in Kansas.... and I could not agree more about your comment about his link to America. If I heard something by Copland for the first time, I think I would immediately link it to him. Without quoting something directly from America's past, his music just ... SOUNDED American. I think he became the first truly American Nationalist composer. Russia has zillions, but we have Copland.
Thank you for sharing your views on Copland. He's one of my favorite American composers. His music is so full of hope and compassion. Greetings from a Frenchman in Brazil and Happy 2019.@@dsti-xi7dl
@@jeanlou79 Merci bien. Oui j'aime Copland. Et aussi Bernstein. Copland et Bernstein etaient amical. On dit peut etre amoureux. A mon avis sa Symphony troisieme est son chef-d'oeuvre. Happy New Year to you !
Thanks! Je vois que vous parlez bien le français! Bonne année à vous. @@dsti-xi7dl
To which I would add a gay Jewish lad ... . Don't forget the gay bit.
Too gorgeous for words to capture. Best to just feel and experience it.
A lot of Field of Dreams in this! My favorite movie and favorite score!
As beautiful as music can get
This is such a beautiful piece and a classic musical "dreamscape" by Copland....so melodic, peaceful, haunting and comforting. Makes one want to find and green, open field to go and run in........makes you long for simpler, less complicated times, which Our Town the play depicted.
To my mind this is the most beautiful piece of music ever written to score a film.
Mr. Copland captures an era of longing love, achievement and honest sentiment.
I feel like there's something retrospective and nostalgic about the piece...marvelous!
Thank you.
Achingly beautiful. Such masters...
This magnificent piece of music - played so well- reminds me of how life used to be when growing up. I think back of all the friends I lost that went before me. My family - funerals that went by. I think and just reflect. And then I have a good cry.
I agree. There are 2 or 3 pieces of music that I have heard that has this same effect.
It's like somebody wrote a soundtrack for your own life..................and you can listen to the music and just see it going by....................
Exactly
My sentiments exactly Nancy. This music is very powerful. It does what music is supposed to do; touch your soul.
Yep, that about covers it.
Copeland is amazing..and the comments are pretty amazing as well..
There are no words to describe the ordinariness and normalcy, juxtaposed with inconsolable heartbreak and majesty, of this piece. Much as I like the play, this overture is bigger.
Isn't it amazing what a broad and inspiring world Copland can fit into 9 minutes!
I remember playing this piece for my youth symphony in Minot, ND. What a beautiful piece to play. Our conductor asked if I could do the flute solo parts. I was 1st trumpet. So I decided to put a little change in it, and played the solo on the piccolo trumpet. Loved the feeling that is put into this piece of music. When I played it, my parents cried. Awesome piece of music.
Roger Duckwall That is a wonderful memory. Thank you for sharing it!
Just another case of really good music
making life so much more worth living.
Keep that great memory as pure as Copland's bucolic music, my friend!
Roger Duckwall lawrenceofarabia
Roger Duckwall lawrenceofarabiamarypopins gengiskhangengiskhan
I find it unfortunately that there are no comments at all on the performance by this University orchestra. Let me say that I think it's a beautiful performance and captures the true essence and feeling of this deeply moving piece.
I should add that my favorite part of the piece is the last quarter that starts with the forte unison two note figure, which starts the section that is the title music in the 1940 movie. Just perfect to take me to another time and place, which in this era, I need more and more.
Our Town ❤️🦋 one of my favorite movies .
I love the sense of quiet nobility in this piece. It's one of my favorites. The stage play was pretty good too. I remember reading it in high school. We were told we'd either love it or find it extremely boring. Back then, I fell into the latter category. But these days, I've developed an appreciate for it, particularly the third act in the cemetery.
Pure small town America during a simpler time .
Grover's Corners, New Hampshire - when Thornton Wilder wrote the play, and by extension the screenplay, he modeled Grover's Corners after the town of Peterborough, approximately halfway between Keene and Manchester. And Peterborough is the quintessential "Our Town."
Aaron Copland was approached to write the soundtrack music by Thornton Wilder himself, and at that time he was hard put to get it right. To his credit, I truly believe he did.
Walter Trachim laerrnceofarabialawrenceofarabia
Copland has become my go-to music on Thanksgiving Day. A truly American artist for an American holiday. Thank you Maestra Shields for this.
I'm having this played at my memorial service. It's also my favorite play, especially Act 3 where Emily asks, "Do any human beings realize life while they live it, every, every moment?". The Stage manager replies, "No......the saints and poets maybe, they do some."
I loved the quiet emotion that the orchestra put into this piece. Simply beautiful music.
Paul Boehlert This orchestra is a group of talented musicians. I am truly grateful for this collaboration. It was a beautiful experience.
What a wonderful, sweet, innocent and yet deeply powerful rendition, I can tell this is way more than just a job for you!
Thank you! You are correct, I truly love what I do. This performance in particular was very moving for me as a conductor.
Is there a recording of this performance I could purchase?
Diane Allen , this performance was recorded by Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA for their records, but I do not know if they sell those recordings.
Beautiful song . Our town is one on my favorite 🎥
I smile every time I listen to Copeland! I’m 48 and I can’t believe I will never see him live.
This piece takes me back 60 years when life and times were so simple that people smiled and said hello to each other, they cared for the feelings and well being of their neighbors. but today, well????????????????????????????????????????????????
I would say more like 90 years.
That's because Carol you are looking at the song from the wrong perspective. The song doesn't take place in the past, but in the future. The song is emblematic of the "Shining City on the Hill." It is about us coming together to build the emotions that you feel into something real. The song has existed for you. It has yet to exist for me and for thousands if not millions like me. That is the key. That is the goal. That is the promise of America. Contentment. That we will be ok. Because that is all we could ever hope for, as Americans. Contentment. Peace.
I saw the film in the early 1960s when at university (in England UK) and was haunted by the music, which I remembered better than the film (which can be seen on RUclips).
Although English, it has always sounded to me as American - perhaps because of its "freshness" and "nerve" (best words I can think of).
Beautiful music and well played.
Civilization V (popular computer game) used this music and I loved it, I'm glad I've found it here as well.
Thank You Aaron Copland🎶 for such a lovely piece of music! RIP 1900-1991
Copland showed us that the simple was amazingly magnificent. Just an amazing piece.
I lived in a town like depicted by this orchestral piece. Everyone knew their
neighbor's business. Also, a ring telephone let you know when a neighbor was
placing a call. Us kids would listen in. No fun now.
Since "The Roosevelts", this will always be for me the theme song for three of my heroes.
Years ago, I was fortunate to listened to this suite before finally watching the movie on public television. Both Adrienne and the orchestra had put their heart and soul into this wonderful performance which matched my feelings when I listened to the suite for the first time. And I would like to play with Ms. Shields as my conductor.
I'm not sure if I'm a big fan of this piece, but I'm definitely a big fan or her conducting! Great job Adrienne Shields!
Thank you very much!
Oh, the beauty !
Superbly played--thank you.
This is one of my favorite pieces of music. The orchestra did a nice job.
Beautiful music and performance. Adrienne Shields is an wonderful conductor of music in more ways than one.
No one has ever written the pastoral, the simple, the truth of music quite like Copland. At least not in America. I love it because it reminds me of growing up when America had a heart and a heartland. Life seems so confusing now.
Such a graceful, mesmerizing conductor. This piece, as Nancy Ann said, evokes memories, people I loved who passed away, and like she said, I have a good cry as well.
'So Beautiful, Thank you!
To me the essence of Anerica is best captured by George Gershwin,Aaron Copland Leonard Bernstein and Miklos Rozsa.
such a beautiful, sensitive version of this piece, I've replayed this video so much in the last few months, thank you, I really don't know how you can bring such unified heartfelt emotion out in a group of musicians like that, you're an absolute talent.
I see and feel the grandioseness of our spreading country's continental frontier before me whenever I hear this, it enlightens. moves, inspires and propells me...
IOW's Aaron Copland incaptured, encompassed and enraptured America as a whole...
What a stunning piece of music. We had the best seat in the house, watching your face while conducting this was priceless, you have a great talent and obviously love music deeply. Thank you....
thanks for posting -- a moving performance
Chris T Thank you for watching! It was certainly a memorable experience.
Touched my heart, I love it!!!!
I have enjoyed many versions of this piece and
Adrienne Shields does an excellent job of it. Thank
you Adrienne!
Gorgeous!
I've been moved by this piece for years. You and your orchestra render it quite well, nice to see it here.
Nancy, If all those times were fond and even the difficult times what a treasure of memories you have. I too now have relationships gone and look forward to an afterlife with them and more joyful times. They treasure your tears and they keep them in a crystal vial
for you until you join them
This wonderful musical piece never misses giving me chills ...
Beautiful music!
This is all over the Ken Burns Roosevelt documentary series.
Thank you, Mr Copeland for a beautiful and moving piece. Too bad their are some morons who can’t appreciate beauty. 10 at this time
This is a wonderful performance of my favourite Copland film score.
Amazing job. This piece always brings me to tears.
It's really amazing how Copland takes 5 notes, and weaves a whole tapestry around them.
This is excellent as I never got into classical music until about 5 years ago as this is becoming a huge favorite of mine
Copland likes it slow and measured when he came to Cincinnati. You nailed it.
JESUSSSSSSSS!!
This is the song for my alarm when i wake up every morning
Thanks, I love very much!!!
I love this piece. Plus I have a little crush on Ms. Adrienne. ☺
Great!
Were I an actor, with requisite talent - I decidedly am not, and have not - the role I most would like to play is The Stage Manager, in Our Town.
Would you be interested in a trade agreement with England ?
The tempo is perfect with precise emphasis to elicit passionate reflection and an abiding quiescent flow of memorable moments. It slows a little too much at a point or two, but really just lovely. That said, I prefer Maestro Adrienne to Aaron Copland conducting this piece!!! Did he lose his love for this piece perhaps!? Ah, but we have found a conducter who has fallen in love with this piece! 👏 bravo 👏 🙌
Adrienne Shields, congratulations to you & your orchestra for this wonderful performance! I've been looking for just such a performance to match the strong memory of a moving TV broadcast of the play my dad & I saw back in the 70s or 80s. I remember my dad was so moved by the play & the score. I was, too. They evoke such memories of growing up in small town Augusta, Wisconsin for me and in Mondovi, Wisconsin for my dad, who died 15 years ago at 85. I also appreciated very much reading and reflecting on the many comments after your performance. Is there more to this score, or is the almost 10 minutes here all that Copland wrote for the 1940 movie? If there's more, I'd like to find it...
Hello John! Thank you for your kind words. Copland wrote the entire score for the 1940 film version of Wilder's play. Shortly after the premier, Copland arranged about ten minutes from the score for a suite. This version was debuted in 1945 and is dedicated to Leonard Bernstein, who conducted the premier performance. I do not know if there are recordings of the original film score available. You will have to let me know if you find it!
wie schoen klingen die Blaeser und gute Streicher, muesste ich sagen !
bravo,,, I love to improvise on the intro with suspended chords
JazzKeyboardist1 That sounds like it would be lovely.
hey,,, are you sure ken burns did not use your cover of our town for his Roosevelt documentary on pbs this week?,,
This piece evokes very deep emotions for me. It is the background music used for the documentary "JFK - A Time Remembered," a twenty-fifth anniversary documentary of the Kennedy Assassination. Since the piece was obviously written before that event, the producer who selected this piece must have identified on a deep level the emotions I continue to feel, and the emotions this beautiful music brings to such a tragic and senseless event.
How did you deal with the the violin I,II,III split?
Well played...
Frank Soria Thank you!
This piece almost transidental.my feelings of course.