Having been born and raised in Western Pennsylvania, and knowing its mountains, forests, streams, and rivers, I marveled as a young man how perfectly Copland captured the spirit of springtime in Appalachia in this marvelous work. Only later did I learn that the Copland called the piece Ballet for Martha, and Martha Graham gave it the title Appalachian Spring, after a line in a poem by Hart Crane. But to me, it still takes me back to the forests and hollows of my youth and touches something deep in my soul.
SW Pa; rolling hills, rivers, farmland, and living in a coal patch next to the Monongahela. Running through corn, watching calves being born, hugging my grandpap even though he was full of coal dust, then watching him work the fields while my grandmother gardened, cooked and sewed for the family. I didn’t realize then (late 50s, early 60s) that I lived in paradise.
Although it is well past midnight, I am putting the final touches on a Christmas tree and listening to this piece by Copland. As the memories rush in and out, I am becoming aware that each movement in Appalachian Spring could be the backdrop for turning points in my life: graduating from college in the 1960s, becoming a wife and mother, climbing career ladders, building networks across the country, raising and educating two sons, becoming empty nesters, earning a doctoral degree (in my fifties), the passing of parents, re-discovering Olivia, the widow, and entering my retirement years alone yet relatively content. Between each comma are countless other chapters just as provocative as Copland's piece.
Sometimes we use all the time available to listen to renowned authors and their magnificent works, but when we dare to look for other sounds and styles with contemporary authors and we discover real surprises... Five years ago I discovered Copland's works and became a self-confessed admirer of his work. We can close our eyes and find ourselves on a prairie galloping on an imposing and spirited stallion and then find ourselves flying over the tops of the highest mountain peaks like a hawk standing out in the blue sky! And Apalache Spring is simply Divine with its variations of tones and sounds providing us with a complete journey!
A Finnish conductor, an English Orchestra playing a quintessential American work, by the son of immigrants who left Russia early last century. If this isn’t a metaphor for how music making can traverse the man-made boundaries and shows what we can achieve as a species in these benighted times when we put our differences aside, then I don’t know what is. The codas beauty and tranquillity is much needed balm for a world seemingly on the edge of a precipice.
Phil that is a terrific view. As the saying goes I couldn't have said it better myself. This piece has always moved me. You just gave an excellent explanation of what is behind that inspiration.
Dedicated to all of America. This solemn composition by Aaron Copland deserves a revival to all as a reminder of what bonds us together. It is simple in its composition yet profound in its depth and ability to drive emotion. After many years of divisiveness, this is a balm for the ears, mind and soul. This performance was outstanding and gives tribute to Copland's genius and his desire to create music for and about the common man. It would be a disservice to Copland and ourselves to let it fade into the past.
UA-cam comments about really good music are what give me life. I'm a British immigrant to foreign countries twice (soon three times) over and my belief that music is what unites us is as strong as it was 35 years ago.
My 2 year old son loves sitting and listening to this performance, along others by your group. He said very sweetly, "Momma, I like this song". Thank you for providing beautiful films like these for my young boy to love. We listen to everything on your feed :)! He also loves learning about the different instruments you use.
This is the piece that got me into music. I can remember my grandpa having the CD in his car around the same age as your son. To this day it’s still one of my favorites
This is so wonderful - thank you for sharing your experience with us. It gives us great joy to know that you and your son are getting so much out of our content. We hope you'll subscribe to keep up to date and enjoy more!
Such a wonderful version by a European orchestra of an American classic. The best performance I've ever heard... this piece of music really lifts your spirit. Absolutely impeccable ...
24:54 Every time this flute solo comes in, my heart swells, and I start to choke back tears from the timeless, eternal beauty of it all. Such is the power of music ❤🩹
Possibly my all time favourite piece of classical music. One of the first I ever heard, as a young teenage boy. Still fills me with peace and joy all these years later. Lovely performance.
Same. One of the few solid memories from my childhood, and my first memory of music (which became a life-long love). It took me around 30 years to finally find out what this composition was called. What a great performance.
What a stunning performance. Spot on camera editing and amazing audio. The works of Aaron Copeland are so easy to listen to. Like 'Fanfare for the Common man' all of Copeland's music can be enjoyed by the most common of men. This piece reminds me so much of my youth and summers spent in Schuylkill County, PA. I was so awed by the rolling countryside which was so different from my town on Long Island, NY. Again, thank you for this wonderful performance.
without question, one of most favoured pieces. it's so distinctly american (i'm not american), but evocative, playful and shot through with optimism and opportunity. reminiscent of an era rapidly disappearing ...
I went to college in Virginia near the foothills of the Appalachian Range. I studied Aaron Copland's "Appalachian Spring " in music history class. Hearing it these many years later as conducted by Santtu-Matias Rovali has been wonderful. Coincidentally I also heard part of it elsewhere on UA-cam today, as the musical introduction to the CBS Reports feature on General Eisenhower and Walter Cronkite's return to Normandy Beach during the 20th anniversary of D-Day in June 1964.
Thank you so much for posting this great work! I love the facial expression of the conductor who was obviously quite satisfied at the end! I felt it also - Magnificent!
For those who love this composition, do check out the chamber orchestra version, which is the original form of the composition (1944) used to support the Martha Graham dance company. Copland than arranged it for full orchestra in 1945.
1971. Home from E. J . Korvettes record dept. w/ a copy of Spring ,Pittsburgh Symphony ( Steinberg?) At least annually , October mostly I emerse myself in this work , 5:18 a big part of Copeland’ s “ terrible sweetness…”( Bernstein) music.
I have always been fascinated by this information about Aaron Copland's "Appalachian Spring." Martha Graham had commissioned Copland to write music for a ballet. This project happened during World War 2, was a busy time for both Graham and Copland and actual collaboration was at a distance between coasts. Copland had an original theme by Graham which, understandably, changed during Graham's development of her ballet. Copland delivered the music early 1944 for an October, 1944 premier of Appalachian Spring. Martha Graham changed the title of the ballet to "Appalachian Spring" immediately before the debut. It has been reported that Copland asked Graham why she chose the title "Appalachian Spring" Graham is reported to have told Copland, "Because I liked it." The history of Appalachian Spring shows us that the connection between the theme of the title of the ballet and the music was not a planned event. The history of Appalachian Spring has resulted in a hard wired connection between the title of Martha Graham's "Appalachian Spring" and Aaron Copland's music. It was not the artist's intention to imagine a spiritual connection between title and music and all of it's interpretations. No, it was us, the public who adores to be swept into magnificent scenes of art and beauty that no other form than music can bring.
22:26 This loud part of "Simple Gifts" with trumpets and kettle drums, from 1957 - 1966 was the theme song for the Sunday evening CBS documentary television series "TWENTIETH CENTURY" narrated by Walter Cronkite and sponsored by Prudential Insurance.
I had no idea that Malcolm Gladwell was so talented! I didn't know that he was a conductor too! 😊 But seriously, Matias Rouvali and the Philharmonia have presented a fantastic performance of Copland. When the music is right, I can absolutely see those mountains and the mist in the valley in the opening movement.
Beautiful music by a great American composer, and in this video not only so well-played (no surprise), but great acoustics as well. I also send music links to friends and relatives, and surely will this time too.
This is one of my most favorite compositions and I really like this particular performance as it runs just a bit more slowly than the version I hold in my memory from many years ago.
The simple, final, chord of this work cuts to my core somehow. I've actually placed my keyboard on its "String" setting, taped down all notes involved, cranked the volume and gone about my business around the house. Though not all of the following are here present, triplets, suspended chords and 7ths torture me most wonderfully.
...I usually Prefer the original "Ballet for Martha" scoring for a 12- (or 13-) piece 'theater-pit orchestra' vs. the better-known full orchestra scoring (though this conductor does a Fine job maintaining the 'spare intimacy' with at least 50% extra instruments. ua-cam.com/video/VBGx7T_sjv4/v-deo.htmlsi=8Az5-Ta6NSKXCBFf The 'orchestra pit' version also provides fuller development of a couple themes, as well as some charming details in several transitions . The 'spareness' of the original form requires (and Allows) each instrument to speak for itself...like between 20:00--22:26 -- as they 'frame' in the"Simple Gifts" theme
Just googling a fav piece, of course lovely as always, but I don't understand the sluggish tempo through the faster sections of the piece. It sounds like a practice tempo if anything
Has the rare and illogical quality of making you nostalgic for a time you never knew...
Exactly
What a beautiful observation
@davidpanton3192 Your comment is very poetic and I love it!
So much of Copland’s work makes me feel this way.
Heartbreak and longing and sadness for no reason at all, but maybe for the best reasons there are
Having been born and raised in Western Pennsylvania, and knowing its mountains, forests, streams, and rivers, I marveled as a young man how perfectly Copland captured the spirit of springtime in Appalachia in this marvelous work. Only later did I learn that the Copland called the piece Ballet for Martha, and Martha Graham gave it the title Appalachian Spring, after a line in a poem by Hart Crane. But to me, it still takes me back to the forests and hollows of my youth and touches something deep in my soul.
This Music always makes me think of The Waltons....
SW Pa; rolling hills, rivers, farmland, and living in a coal patch next to the Monongahela. Running through corn, watching calves being born, hugging my grandpap even though he was full of coal dust, then watching him work the fields while my grandmother gardened, cooked and sewed for the family. I didn’t realize then (late 50s, early 60s) that I lived in paradise.
Although it is well past midnight, I am putting the final touches on a Christmas tree and listening to this piece by Copland. As the memories rush in and out, I am becoming aware that each movement in Appalachian Spring could be the backdrop for turning points in my life: graduating from college in the 1960s, becoming a wife and mother, climbing career ladders, building networks across the country, raising and educating two sons, becoming empty nesters, earning a doctoral degree (in my fifties), the passing of parents, re-discovering Olivia, the widow, and entering my retirement years alone yet relatively content. Between each comma are countless other chapters just as provocative as Copland's piece.
Sometimes we use all the time available to listen to renowned authors and their magnificent works, but when we dare to look for other sounds and styles with contemporary authors and we discover real surprises... Five years ago I discovered Copland's works and became a self-confessed admirer of his work. We can close our eyes and find ourselves on a prairie galloping on an imposing and spirited stallion and then find ourselves flying over the tops of the highest mountain peaks like a hawk standing out in the blue sky!
And Apalache Spring is simply Divine with its variations of tones and sounds providing us with a complete journey!
A Finnish conductor, an English Orchestra playing a quintessential American work, by the son of immigrants who left Russia early last century.
If this isn’t a metaphor for how music making can traverse the man-made boundaries and shows what we can achieve as a species in these benighted times when we put our differences aside, then I don’t know what is.
The codas beauty and tranquillity is much needed balm for a world seemingly on the edge of a precipice.
Phil that is a terrific view. As the saying goes I couldn't have said it better myself. This piece has always moved me. You just gave an excellent explanation of what is behind that inspiration.
Thank you for your lovely thoughts, and for engaging with us.
Beautifully put!
The coda...so beautiful
Dedicated to all of America. This solemn composition by Aaron Copland deserves a revival to all as a reminder of what bonds us together. It is simple in its composition yet profound in its depth and ability to drive emotion. After many years of divisiveness, this is a balm for the ears, mind and soul. This performance was outstanding and gives tribute to Copland's genius and his desire to create music for and about the common man. It would be a disservice to Copland and ourselves to let it fade into the past.
23:00 onward. Beautiful. Listening in honor of my sister who died July 2 from cancer. Be at peace.
The whole piece is wonderful, but the opening three minutes are some of the most awe-inspiring, achingly beautiful sounds I've ever heard.
It can bring me to tears with it's beauty, much like a lovely spring day.
Appalachian
SPRING was my Dad's favorite piece I miss him so much
rip dad...
My favorite piece from Aaron Copland for over 30 years. So soothing and beautiful to me...Copland, a genius...what a stunning performance...
UA-cam comments about really good music are what give me life. I'm a British immigrant to foreign countries twice (soon three times) over and my belief that music is what unites us is as strong as it was 35 years ago.
My 2 year old son loves sitting and listening to this performance, along others by your group. He said very sweetly, "Momma, I like this song". Thank you for providing beautiful films like these for my young boy to love. We listen to everything on your feed :)! He also loves learning about the different instruments you use.
Wow he must have been very musical in a past life
A beautiful beginning for your son. This song makes me feel so grateful to be an America...cheers from San Francisco, ca
This is the piece that got me into music. I can remember my grandpa having the CD in his car around the same age as your son. To this day it’s still one of my favorites
This is so wonderful - thank you for sharing your experience with us. It gives us great joy to know that you and your son are getting so much out of our content. We hope you'll subscribe to keep up to date and enjoy more!
I was that boy, to my lovely mother, only 50 years ago.
Such a wonderful version by a European orchestra of an American classic. The best performance I've ever heard... this piece of music really lifts your spirit. Absolutely impeccable ...
Beautiful & stunning performance.
I long for the day when we aren’t all spread out though.
So very beautiful that it hurts
This piece of music is why I have been a Fan fir 50 years!
24:54 Every time this flute solo comes in, my heart swells, and I start to choke back tears from the timeless, eternal beauty of it all. Such is the power of music ❤🩹
When the Holy Spirit is with it
Possibly my all time favourite piece of classical music. One of the first I ever heard, as a young teenage boy. Still fills me with peace and joy all these years later. Lovely performance.
My dad used to play this record when we were kids. It still brings awe in me each time; so, so beautiful.
Same. One of the few solid memories from my childhood, and my first memory of music (which became a life-long love). It took me around 30 years to finally find out what this composition was called. What a great performance.
same here
What a stunning performance. Spot on camera editing and amazing audio. The works of Aaron Copeland are so easy to listen to. Like 'Fanfare for the Common man' all of Copeland's music can be enjoyed by the most common of men. This piece reminds me so much of my youth and summers spent in Schuylkill County, PA. I was so awed by the rolling countryside which was so different from my town on Long Island, NY. Again, thank you for this wonderful performance.
Thank you! So pleased you enjoyed this performance.
OMG! This is one of the best modern performances and recordings of this classic I've ever heard!
Well done to all involved!
Brilliant!
The minimalist staging is electrifying. It clarifies the voices like I've only heard in my head. Stunning!!!
Thank you. This was filmed during the height of COVID-19 and we had to space the players out for safety.
One. Of. My. FAVORITE. WORKS. OF. ANY. MUSIC. TYPE...LOVE. JAZZ...BUT. THIS TRANSCENDS. ALL.........SOUNDS. LIKE. HEAVEN. TO. ME.....!!!!....ILC
Beautiful. My heart sings. Thank you Aaron Copeland.❤
Lovely performance...and thank you to these musicians.🌹💐
That was so beautiful it took my breath away!
I want this played at my funeral! I have loved it all my life!!!❤
Beautiful performance of Copland's music
It is evocative and irreverent at the same time! It makes me want to walk the Appalachian Trail!
without question, one of most favoured pieces. it's so distinctly american (i'm not american), but evocative, playful and shot through with optimism and opportunity. reminiscent of an era rapidly disappearing ...
This was a stunningly beautiful performance, thank you!
Music that fills the spirit with air.
I'm not crying, YOU'RE crying.
Just beautiful, absolutely exquisite.
That was sublime. The winds: outstanding! This might be my favorite version of A.S. now.
BRAVO! A Empty House, No Audience, Spectacular Pandemic Performance to Remind Us of What Was This Tragic Place In Time! ❤
No coughs!!! Oh my goodness
Absolutely stunning. And my favourite piece of music. I could listen to that over and over again. Fantastic musicianship as well.
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Such a lovely piec . . . full of hope and fun . . . sunlight bursting through the shadows.
Aaron Copland fantastico compositore,evocativo,
struggente,trascinante.
Splendida esecuzione.
I went to college in Virginia near the foothills of the Appalachian Range. I studied Aaron Copland's "Appalachian Spring " in music history class. Hearing it these many years later as conducted by Santtu-Matias Rovali has been wonderful.
Coincidentally I also heard part of it elsewhere on UA-cam today, as the musical introduction to the CBS Reports feature on General Eisenhower and Walter Cronkite's return to Normandy Beach during the 20th anniversary of D-Day in June 1964.
I am continually inspired by this gem of music….John Clapp
This is so beautiful. I've been in love with Copland's work for 8 years now. Hopefully Appalachian Spring is engrained in my DNA.
It’s a glorious piece of music and my favourite version.
A very emotional piece of music 🎵
Thank you so much for posting this great work! I love the facial expression of the conductor who was obviously quite satisfied at the end! I felt it also - Magnificent!
Divine and inspired performance ⭐️
Thank you for the boisterousness, the dance, the magic and the absolute beauty 🙏
Lovely lovely, great to every artists .
For those who love this composition, do check out the chamber orchestra version, which is the original form of the composition (1944) used to support the Martha Graham dance company. Copland than arranged it for full orchestra in 1945.
My God - the video work is almost as good as the music.
This video is by far the best in both audio, and video quality. I am very hard of hearing, and greatly appreciate those efforts.
1971. Home from E. J . Korvettes record dept. w/ a copy of Spring ,Pittsburgh Symphony ( Steinberg?) At least annually , October mostly I emerse myself in this work , 5:18 a big part of Copeland’ s “ terrible sweetness…”( Bernstein) music.
I have always been fascinated by this information about Aaron Copland's "Appalachian Spring." Martha Graham had commissioned Copland to write music for a ballet. This project happened during World War 2, was a busy time for both Graham and Copland and actual collaboration was at a distance between coasts. Copland had an original theme by Graham which, understandably, changed during Graham's development of her ballet. Copland delivered the music early 1944 for an October, 1944 premier of Appalachian Spring. Martha Graham changed the title of the ballet to "Appalachian Spring" immediately before the debut. It has been reported that Copland asked Graham why she chose the title "Appalachian Spring" Graham is reported to have told Copland, "Because I liked it."
The history of Appalachian Spring shows us that the connection between the theme of the title of the ballet and the music was not a planned event. The history of Appalachian Spring has resulted in a hard wired connection between the title of Martha Graham's "Appalachian Spring" and Aaron Copland's music. It was not the artist's intention to imagine a spiritual connection between title and music and all of it's interpretations. No, it was us, the public who adores to be swept into magnificent scenes of art and beauty that no other form than music can bring.
WoW
Wow! Nice interpretation, excellent conductor and musicians, congrats!
The Greatest Piece of Music Ever Written!!!! I have listen all my life an never get tired of it!!!❤❤❤
22:26 This loud part of "Simple Gifts" with trumpets and kettle drums, from 1957 - 1966 was the theme song for the Sunday evening CBS documentary television series "TWENTIETH CENTURY" narrated by Walter Cronkite and sponsored by Prudential Insurance.
Gorgeous performance and beautifully engineered and filmed too… thank you.
Thank you!
Bravi! That was a stunningly beautiful performance.
Thank you so much.
Beautiful! It brings so many wonderful feelings to my heart.
Lovely performance! Such gorgeous sound and wonderful musical interpretation! Bravo to the orchestra members and maestro Santtu-Matias Rouvali
Thank you!
I had no idea that Malcolm Gladwell was so talented! I didn't know that he was a conductor too! 😊
But seriously, Matias Rouvali and the Philharmonia have presented a fantastic performance of Copland. When the music is right, I can absolutely see those mountains and the mist in the valley in the opening movement.
Beautiful music by a great American composer, and in this video not only so well-played (no surprise), but great acoustics as well. I also send music links to friends and relatives, and surely will this time too.
Love this piece. Love this rendition. Thank you.
a perfect performance of a perfect piece of music, I loved everything about it
Alguien noviembre 2024....bellisima musica
This is one of my most favorite compositions and I really like this particular performance as it runs just a bit more slowly than the version I hold in my memory from many years ago.
Beautiful performance.
Bravo!
Appalachian Springs a composition of the legendary composer Aaron Gopland. Goplant is a great composer. Love this piece. Love this redition...
18:58 Simple Gifts (the part most everyone comes to hear)
A lovely, stirring section of the piece!
The simple, final, chord of this work cuts to my core somehow. I've actually placed my keyboard on its "String" setting, taped down all notes involved, cranked the volume and gone about my business around the house. Though not all of the following are here present, triplets, suspended chords and 7ths torture me most wonderfully.
Incredible rendition
Inspired by this etherial music whilst an exchange teacher in North America in 1954.
Beauty music,...
Beautiful!
Best, ever
Son muy interesantes los cambios rítmicos que se producen poco a poco
Beautiful Thankyou
Oh my goodness- who is that amazing conductor?!
It is our wonderful Principal Conductor, Santtu-Matias Rouvali.
Fantastic.😊
beautiful
Did any of you know that Aaron Copeland wrote the piece for Martha Graham? He originally named it “Ballet for Martha”.
...I usually Prefer the original "Ballet for Martha" scoring for a 12- (or 13-) piece 'theater-pit orchestra' vs. the better-known full orchestra scoring (though this conductor does a Fine job maintaining the 'spare intimacy' with at least 50% extra instruments.
ua-cam.com/video/VBGx7T_sjv4/v-deo.htmlsi=8Az5-Ta6NSKXCBFf
The 'orchestra pit' version also provides fuller development of a couple themes, as well as some charming details in several transitions .
The 'spareness' of the original form requires (and Allows) each instrument to speak for itself...like between 20:00--22:26 -- as they 'frame' in the"Simple Gifts" theme
Superb 🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂
Appalachian Spring, a composition of the legendary Aaron Copland
23 mins but sounded like 15 mins. Mark of a great definitive rendition
Who else is here for their high school music appreciation elective
Never heard it before.
😊
6:21 No. 2 Moderato
Just googling a fav piece, of course lovely as always, but I don't understand the sluggish tempo through the faster sections of the piece. It sounds like a practice tempo if anything
nice
At 17 : 10 we see the timpanist playing his timpani drums in the proper American configuration
Does anyone else get "The Waltons" Vine when they hear Coplands Masterpiece ????
I knew Appalachia of Western North Carolina.
5:09
16:50
why is this the audition piece 😭😭
my poor hands
It’s like the melody is aimless until it abruptly hits the I chord
16:38
Hopefully