Friends and Foes
Donald Macleod examines Copland’s closest collaborations - and his political controversies.
Donald Macleod looks at Copland’s friendships with Leonard Bernstein and Serge Koussevitsky, his work with Martha Graham, and the creation of Appalachian Spring. We also uncover the darker chapter of McCarthy-era suspicion, when Copland’s patriotism was questioned and his music became a lightning rod for political debate.
Letter from Home
Âé¶¹Éç Philharmonic
John Wilson, conductor
Appalachian Spring Suite:
v. Solo Dance
vi. Meno mosso
vii. Variation on a Shaker Hymn
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Zubin Mehta, conductor
Clarinet Concerto
Richard Stoltzman, clarinet
London Symphony Orchestra
Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor
Lincoln Portrait
James Earl Jones, narrator
Seattle Symphony
Gerard Schwarz, conductor
Fanfare for the Common Man
London Symphony Orchestra
Aaron Copland, conductor
Produced by Ellie Ajao for Âé¶¹Éç Audio Wales and West.
Last on
More episodes
Music Played
-
Aaron Copland
Letter From Home
Orchestra: Âé¶¹Éç Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: John Wilson.- Copland: Symphonies Vol.3.
- Chandos.
- 6.
-
Aaron Copland
Appalachian Spring Suite (5th, 6th & 7th mvts)
Orchestra: Los Angeles Philharmonic. Conductor: Zubin Mehta.- DECCA : 448-261-6.
- DECCA.
- 6.
-
Aaron Copland
Clarinet Concerto
Performer: Richard Stoltzman. Performer: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas.- SONY : G010005422521J.
- SONY.
- 8.
-
Aaron Copland
Lincoln Portrait
Orchestra: Seattle Symphony. Conductor: Gerard Schwarz. Narrator: James Earl Jones.- DELOS : DE-3140.
- DELOS.
- 2.
-
Aaron Copland
Fanfare for the Common Man
Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Aaron Copland.- SONY : G010001222726C.
- SONY.
- 1.
Broadcast
- Fri 9 Jan 2026 16:00Âé¶¹Éç Radio 3
Beethoven Unleashed – the box set
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Composers A to Z
Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week
Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem
What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?
A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...
The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.
Composer Help Page
Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.



