Aaron Copland

Aaron Copland was an American composer, critic, writer, teacher, pianist and later a conductor of his own and other American music. Copland was referred to by his peers and critics as the "Dean of American Composers". The open, slowly changing harmonies in much of his music are typical of what many people consider to be the sound of American music, evoking the vast American landscape and pioneer spirit. He is best known for the works he wrote in the 1930s and 1940s in a deliberately accessible style often referred to as "populist" and which the composer labeled his "vernacular" style. Works in this vein include the ballets Appalachian Spring, Billy the Kid and Rodeo, his Fanfare for the Common Man and Third Symphony. In addition to his ballets and orchestral works, he produced music in many other genres, including chamber music, vocal works, opera and film scores.

14 November 1900

Born on the same birth day (14 November): Jack Sikma • Josh Silver • Michael Robbins • Miguel Sabah • Nat Young • Philip Egan • Willie Hernández

Born in the same month (November 1900): Anna Maurizio • Anna Seghers • Bunny Ahearne • Chester Gould • David Marshall Williams • Edward Buzzell • Eliška Junková • Florieda Batson • Helen Gahagan Douglas • Ichthyology • Ida Lou Anderson • Jovette Bernier • Margaret Mitchell • Mary Bothwell • Natalie Schafer • Oskar Loorits • Rudolf Höss • Stanley Graham