A Fanfare For A Fanfare

If you’ve ever tuned into 90.9 on a Friday evening, you know I’m a BIG fan of Pops music. With that in mind, I wanted to take a look at a piece of music that epitomizes “Pops”: Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man.

Eugene Goossens, conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, wrote to Aaron Copland about an idea he wanted to put into action for the 1942–43 concert season. During World War I he had asked British composers for a fanfare to begin each orchestral concert. It was received by the audiences in England with so much enthusiasm that he wanted to repeat the procedure in World War II, with American music.

Yes. You read that correctly. The idea for this famous piece started right here in Cincinnati.

Vice President Henry A. Wallace proclaimed in a famous 1942 speech that this was the dawning of the "Century of the Common Man" and with that phrase, Copland had his inspiration.

Since it’s premiere (in Cincinnati) in March of 1943, it’s become more popular than Goosens or Copland could have ever imagined. From popular music (Emerson, Lake and Palmer anyone?), to sporting events, to movies, even at NHL hockey games, this piece’s ability to inspire is endless.

In my mind, the most fitting use was on September 21, 2012, when it was played at Los Angeles International Airport as the Space Shuttle Endeavour touched down after its final flight. I can’t think of another piece of music that encompasses the triumph of space flight and the Space Shuttle program.

A fanfare is a piece of music usually introducing an event or another piece of music but Fanfare for the Common Man has the strength and grace to stand alone.

The next time you’re searching for some inspiration, sit back and play it. (and don’t be afraid to crank up the volume)

- Andy Ellis

You can learn more about Aaron Copland and fanfares at classicsforkids.com.