Aaron Copland

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American musician and composer, a concert pianist and conductor. Bright, open and spacious, Copland's works captured the sweep, sinew and soul of America. Throughout his career, he helped young composers by teaching them at Tanglewood for 25-years and by persuading performers to play their works. His work include the opera "The Tender Land," 1954, Canticle of Freedom," 1955, "Dance Panels" for small orchestras, 1959 and "Duo for Flute and Piano," 1971. "Inscape," with its contrast of violent chords and haunting lyricism, was his last major score, in 1967. He was awarded an Oscar for the film score of "The Heiress," 1949. (He was a brilliant spokesperson for American music in books and lectures.) (Born to immigrant East European Jews, he tutored under the atelier of Nadia Boulanger. Meeting her at age 20 while in Paris, he learned everything in those three years before returning home at age 23.) Homosexual, Copland never married. In his later years, he suffered from Alzheimer's. He died of strokes and respiratory failure from pneumonia on 12/02/1990, N. Tarrytown, NY. Link to Wikipedia biography