
Seeing this concert tonight with the Mrs. An alll American Composers, this program will be delight. Aaron Copland is one of my favorites as well as Samuel Barber. The Barber work is “Knoxville Summer of 1915”, a very poignant and hauntingly beautiful work. Should be a favorite of Southerners who would sit on their porches during the early evening, sipping lemonade and sharing pleasantries with their neighbors.
As for Copland, they will perform is very popular Appalachian Spring Suite.
William Grant Still is an African American Composer during the same period of the others on this program. His music very Americana but infused with melodies that represent his heritage and beauty. I am learning more of his work.
As a side note, two of these men were known to be gay. Barber had a long term relationship with another famous Composer, Gian Carl Menotti, and as for Copland, he was known to be in relationships with many men, but never declared his homosexuality.
William Grant Still was married and had 4 children.
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