The young Aaron Copland went to Paris to study composition, and his teacher told him, "You'll do your best work if you explore what it means to be American." The 25-year-old Copland took that advice and returned to New York. We'll hear pianist John Novacek play Copland's Four Piano Blues on today's show.

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Fantasy Pieces: Movement 5 Dance
Catalyst Quartet
Album: Uncovered Vol. 1
Azica 71336

William Schuman: Chester Overture from New England Triptych
Aspen Music Festival Orchestral Ensemble | Lawrence Isaacson, conductor
Aspen Music Festival and School, Benedict Music Tent, Aspen, CO
Concert Record Date: 7/4/2019

Aaron Copland: Four Piano Blues
John Novacek, piano
Colorado College Summer Music Festival, Packard Hall, Colorado Spring, CO

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Clarinet Quintet in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 10
David Shifrin, clarinet | Viano String Quartet
Chamber Music Northwest, Kaul Auditorium, Reed College, Portland, OR

Hour 2

Jean Francaix: Quintette: II. Presto-Trio
Imani Winds
Album: Umoja
Imani 6227

Joseph Bologne Chevalier de Saint-Georges: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. Post No. 2
Francisco Fullana, violin | Apollo's Fire | Jeannette Sorrell, conductor
Apollo's Fire, Severance Music Center - Mandel Concert Hall, Cleveland, OH

Aldo Lopez-Gavilan: Bonjour Daiana
Aldo Lopez-Gavilan, piano
Grand Piano Series, St. Leo Auditorium, Bonita Springs, FL

Valerie Coleman: Suite: Portraits of Josephine
Imani Winds
UChicago Presents, Performance Hall, Logan Center for the Arts, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL