Interpretation of Aaron Copland's Duo for Flute and Piano

Abstract

Aaron Copland's reputation as a nationalistic composer has influenced the interpretation of his later music. Copland employed many compositional styles throughout his career, but the one most often attributed to him that generated his early fame was the tonal, folk-centered music. The Duo for Flute and Piano is often classified as a revisiting of this particular style, when in fact it incorporates elements from his four stylistic periods.

This study attempts to show that the Duo is not a portrait of American folk-culture, but rather an expression of the composer's perception of his life in later years. General reception of Copland's music and his philosophy on expression through music are essential elements to understanding the Duo. This study considered primarily Copland's original writings on his life and music, and comparisons of stylistic interpretation by various scholars on the Duo.