Aaron Copland

Artist

Yousuf Karsh, 23 Dec 1908 - 13 Jul 2002

Sitter

Aaron Copland, 14 Nov 1900 - 2 Dec 1990

Exhibition Label

In the course of his musical career, Aaron Copland distinguished himself as a conductor, teacher, and critic. But his greatest accomplishments by far were in the field of composing. Long regarded as the dean of American composers, Copland received his training in Paris. His grounding in European music, however, did not diminish his interest in exploring the musical styles and traditions of his own country. In fact, his compositions drew much of their inspiration from American sources, ranging from jazz to cowboy ballads to New England hymns. Copland’s prodigious output included operas, ballets, choral pieces, film scores, and symphonies. Among his best-known works are Appalachian Spring (1943), a ballet commissioned for Martha Graham’s dance company, and his Third Symphony (1944–46), which conductor Serge Koussevitsky called the “greatest American symphony.”

Karsh responded warmly to Copland, observing, “There was about him a certain candour and friendliness that endeared him to me at once.”

Credit Line

National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Estrellita Karsh in memory of Yousuf Karsh

1956

Object number

NPG.2012.77.17

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Copyright

© Estate of Yousuf Karsh

Type

Photograph

Medium

Gelatin silver print

Dimensions

Image: 17.9 × 21.6 cm (7 1/16 × 8 1/2")

Sheet: 35.4 × 27.5 cm (13 15/16 × 10 13/16")

Mount: 40.7 × 33 cm (16 × 13")

Mat (Karsh exhibit): 55.9 × 40.6 cm (22 × 16")

National Portrait Gallery

Topic

Music\Sheet music

Aaron Copland: Male

Aaron Copland: Performing Arts\Performer\Musician\Composer

Aaron Copland: Performing Arts\Performer\Musician\Conductor

Aaron Copland: Pulitzer Prize

Aaron Copland: Oscar

Aaron Copland: Presidential Medal of Freedom

Aaron Copland: Congressional Gold Medal

Portrait

Record ID

npg_NPG.2012.77.17

Usage of Metadata (Object Detail Text)

Usage conditions apply

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sm4f31d4370-adb8-4b9e-a16a-4c5f552ad061