This election season there's been a lot of talk about who and what are American. On Tuesday's edition of Stephen Colbert's Late Show, music replaced rhetoric in the form of Aaron Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man, performed by members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel.
Copland wrote the piece in 1942 as a patriotic gesture during World War II. It was part of a larger commissioning project by Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra conductor Eugene Goosens, who asked a variety of American composers to write fanfares. Copland scored his for brass and percussion. The tune ended up as a part of the composer's Third Symphony, completed four years later.
The Los Angeles Philharmonic stopped in New York to play music by Copland and young American composer Andrew Norman, as well as Mahler's Third Symphony as a part of its 2016 tour, which now heads to Amsterdam, Paris, Luxembourg and London.
Love the music?
Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.
Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.
YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.