| Episode | First Broadcast | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | 20060102 | Donald Macleod introduces works from Copland's student days in Paris under the guiding hand of Nadia Boulanger, and from his early years back home in the troubled period surrounding the Depression. Music for the Theatre The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Hugh Wolff (conductor) Help us, O Lord - from Four Motets Dunedin Consort Ben Parry (director) Piano Variations Joanna MacGregor (piano) Short Symphony Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra Leonard Slatkin (conductor). |
| 02 | 20060103 | Copland recognised the value of incorporating folk music into his work as a way of attracting a wider audience. Donald Macleod introduces some of Copland's most popular folk-inspired works, plus incidental music written for a theatre group who shared his politically driven ideals. El Salon Mexico New Philharmonia Orchestra Aaron Copland (conductor) Billy the Kid Suite New York Philharmonic Leonard Bernstein (conductor) Lark Robert Hale (baritone) New England Conservatory Chorus Aaron Copland (conductor) Quiet City Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. |
| 03 | 20060104 | With its infectious rhythms, many avant-garde choreographers of the time were drawn to Copland's music. Donald Macleod introduces a ballet written for Martha Graham which was an instant success with the public and critics alike; plus the famous fanfare which found its way into Copland's third symphony and a concerto commissioned by one of the leading bandleaders of the day - Benny Goodman. Fanfare for the Common Man New York Philharmonic Leonard Bernstein (conductor) Appalachian Spring St Luke's Chamber Ensemble Violin Sonata (3rd movement) Gil Shaham (violin) Andre Previn (piano) Clarinet Concerto Benny Goodman (clarinet) Columbia Symphony Strings Aaron Copland (conductor). |
| 04 | 20060105 | As a communist sympathiser, Copland was caught up in Senator McCarthy's witch-hunt of the 1950s and summoned to testify before the infamous House Committee on Un-American Activities. Donald Macleod introduces works from those difficult years including his first serial work, highlights from his only opera and song-settings of poems by one of America's greatest 19th-century poets. Simple Gifts William Warfield (baritone) Columbia Symphony Orchestra Aaron Copland (conductor) 12 Poems of Emily Dickinson (selection) Barbara Bonney (soprano) Andre Previn (piano) Piano Quartet Martin Roscoe (piano) Members of the Vanbrugh Quartet The Tenderland - (extract) Laurie....Joy Clements Martin....Richard Cassilly Top....Richard Fredericks Grandpa Moss....Norman Treigle Ma Moss....Claramae Turner New York Philharmonic Aaron Copland (conductor). |
| 05 LAST | 20060106 | Copland was feted wherever he went as composer, conductor and ambassador for American music. Donald Macleod introduces some of Copland's final works, including one of his most widely played chamber works and an orchestral piece commissioned by his friend and greatest supporter, Leonard Bernstein. Midsummer Nocturne Leo Smit (piano) Nonet Members of the St Luke's Chamber Orchestra Inscape New York Philharmonic Leonard Bernstein (conductor) Duo for flute and piano Jennifer Stinton (flute) Malcolm Martineau (piano) 3 Latin-American Sketches (No 1) New York Philharmonic Orchestra Aaron Copland (conductor). |