What's the funniest story you know about Aaron Copland?

I've performed it with Copland himself conducting, at the US Capitol, of all places. It was very moving! (Benny Goodman wasn't playing the clarinet part for that performance....) Now if someone would ask "what's the funniest story you know about Aaron Copland," I've got a couple good ones..... read more

Aaron Copland was not a good conductor, but since most composers are asked to conduct their own works, I played under him a few times. He was getting up in years by then (he died in 1990), and could be rather grumpy and crotchety. read more

For nearly four decades, American composer Aaron Copland achieved a distinctive musical characterization of American themes in an expressive modern style. He is known for works like Appalachian Spring and Fanfare for the Common Man, among many others. read more