Which is Aaron Copland's best pieces of work?

Question

he is known as one of the greatest american composers, i tend to agree at times and find most of his work fun and challenging to play. which is your favorite to play or listen to?

Answer 1

The boatman's dance; I'm a baritone and just love singing it.

I love pretty much all Copland's work.

Answer 2

I'm biased, but I have to go with his Clarinet Concerto.  And how can it get any better when you have Benny Goodman as the poster boy playing it?!  LOL

Aside from Hindemith's Clarinet Concerto in A Major, I think that  Copland's Clarinet Concerto ranks as one of the best 20th Century clarinet pieces to either play or listen to, and it incorporates so many elements that it still sounds "classically modern".

Track 2... you can select "play" rather than download.

http://mp3.rhapsody.com/album/bennygoodm...

:)

EDIT: Parker- I totally forgot about that one!  Now I'm torn! lol

Answer 3

My favorite is one of the shortest works of the 20th century genre.

"Fanfare for The Common Man" is simple-yet has great power and color! As a brass player, I have had several opportunities to perform this ethereal work & it never loses any of its power!

Answer 4

The Rodeo piece from American Rapsody

Answer 5

I love listening to his "Appalachian Spring."

And he has some wonderful choral works that I like to sing. "Tis the Gift to be Simple" is of course based on an Ap. Spring theme.