Fanfare for the Common Man

fan·fare   
[fan-fair]

–noun
1. a flourish or short air played on trumpets or the like.
2. an ostentatious display or flourish.
3. publicity or advertising.

Origin:
1760–70; < French, expressive word akin to fanfaron.



Aaron Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man
New York Philharmonic. James Levine, conductor

Aaron Copland's Fanfare For the Common Man, premiered on March 12, 1943.

Eugene Goossen, conductor the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, invited Copland to write a fanfare in response to the United States' entry into WWII. Goossen suggested the title, Fanfare for Soldiers, but to his surprise, Copland titled his composition, Fanfare for the Common Man. Goossen wrote to Copland:

"Its title is as original as its music, and I think it is so telling that it deserves a special occasion for its performance. If it is agreeable to you, we will premiere it 12 March 1943 at income tax time". Copland's reply was "I [am] all for honoring the common man at income tax time."

Rockers Emerson, Lake and Palmer and the popular big band Woody Herman's Thundering Herd have also created their own unique versions of Copland's fanfare.





SF Symphony conductor Michael Tilson Thomas tells us that this piece sounds unmistakeably "American" and says that Copland's music "has come to symbolize America itself."

Watch San Francisco Symphony's "Keeping Score: Copland and the American Sound" on PBS Video.

The Fanfare is often heard during moments of national importance, in both times of tragedy and triumph. The piece was frequently played after the tragedy of September 11th and, most recently, used as to mark the ending of NASA's space shuttle program.



Copland's original piano sketch is among the musical treasures held by the Library of Congress.

On the occasion of Aaron Copland's 75th Birthday, Leonard Bernstein rightfully proclaimed,

"It is futile to say: may he live forever! Of course he will."