Lou Harrison on Aaron Copland

07.02.1992

Charles Amirkhanian

As part of a February 7, 1991 program in memory of  Aaron Copland (New York, 1900 - New York, 1990), Charles Amirkhanian interviews composer Lou Harrison about his friendship with Copland, as well as playing some samples of Copland's music, and a brief excerpt from a talk by the quintessential 20th century American composer. Amirkhanian and Harrison discuss Copland's illustrious career, comparing his early and latter works, and pondering what more might have been, if it had not been for Copland's decline and eventual death due to Alzheimer's disease. Harrison expresses great admiration for, and just a bit of mystification about, the qualities of Copland's music that made it so representative of the American spirit, even more so than that of Charles Ives. And in a brief excerpt from a talk, we hear Copland himself suggest that his best music simply appears in his mind, rather than resulting from any more deliberate effort to fulfill the requirements of a commission.

Entrevista a Aaron Copland

DAY AT NIGHT - 20.12.1973
CUNY tv / James Day

CUNY TV's restoring of the classic public television program, "Day at Night", which aired from 1973-1974. In this episode, host James Day talks with composer Aaron Copland (New York, 1900 - New York, 1990). They discuss how Mr. Copland became one of the most distinguished American composers in the world, themes and influences which he used to create some of his most memorable works, how his creations have adapted over the years to reflect the changing times, teachers that influenced him as well as important aspects of composition.

CUNY TV is proud to re-broadcast newly digitized episodes of DAY AT NIGHT, the popular public television series hosted by the late James Day. Day was a true pioneer of public television: co-founder of KQED in San Francisco, president of WNET upon the merger of National Educational Television (NET) and television station WNDT/Channel 13, and most recently, Chairman of the CUNY TV Advisory Board. The series features fascinating interviews with notable cultural and political figures conducted in the mid 1970's. (Taped: 12/20/1973)