(1900-1990)

Photo of composer Aaron Copland from the CBS television/New York Philharmonic "Young Peoples' Concerts" series.

Aaron Copland can be considered the public face of mid-20th century American classical music; his interest in national styles of music is reflected in his adoption of the idioms of popular jazz, blues, and folk music. Copland's Twelve Poems of Emily Dickinson is one of the canonical song cycles of the 20th century. The two sets of Old American Songs reflect his interest in American folk culture and music.