Weekend Music

 

The great American composer Aaron Copland, who was born 125 years ago today, was considered by many to be the dean of American composers. His orchestral works, including "Appalachian Spring," and "Rodeo," were performed as ballets, and written in a populist style that Copland described as the American "vernacular."  Borrowed from a 19th century Shaker hymn and first performed in October 1944, the majestic "Simple Gifts" from "Appalachian Spring" became an instant classic, first performed by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, followed by other major symphony orchestras, including this version by John Williams conducting the Boston Pops Orchestra. (Some of you may remember it as the theme music for the old "CBS Reports" investigative journalism program from back in the Edward R. Murrow days -- how low that network has fallen!).

Simple Gifts of Spring Weekend Song

This will be our first, long-awaited Spring weekend following a grueling winter, and here in the Mid-Atlantic states, it promises to be truly Spring-like.  What better way to celebrate than with Aaron Copland's "Simple Gifts" from "Appalachian Spring."   Some of you may recognize the tune, especially the final, dramatic 30 seconds, because it served as the theme music for "CBS Reports," a long-running jewel of investigative television journalism.  (Which makes us think, inevitably, of the groundbreaking 1960 "CBS Reports" documentary from the great Edward R. Murrow, "Harvest of Shame."  If you have never seen this watershed report on migrant workers, you owe it to yourself to do so right now.  Then you can shed a tear for what real, courageous journalism used to be, versus the craven "both sides do it" product we see so much of today.)

Oh, sorry.  Enjoy your Spring weekend!

Weekend Fanfare

Monday is Labor Day in America, a holiday established in 1894 by President Cleveland following the end of the bloody Pullman strike. It's worth noting that, over the years, this holiday has morphed from a celebration of labor (i.e., organized labor) into a "last weekend the pool is open"/ "summer's over!" kind of celebration. In these days of Rethuglican/ oligarch-funded assaults on organized labor, let's remember a few of the things we owe organized labor:
-- the 8-hour workday/ 40-hour workweek (a.k.a., your weekend);
-- minimum wage;
-- workplace health and safety standards;
-- child labor prohibition;
-- civil rights (the UAW under Walter Reuther shone); and
-- what's left of the American middle class.
So we think it fitting to offer Aaron Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man" as our weekend starter. Have a safe and enjoyable weekend!

Weekend Birthday Song

It's a birthday weekend, and along with Prince Charles, Claude Monet, and Jawaharlal Nehru, the Hackwhackers share a birthday on the 14th with Aaron Copland. Here's the beautiful "Simple Gifts" from his Appalachian Spring, photos by Ansel Adams. (Note: "old timers" may also recognize the portion starting at about 2:25 as the theme for "CBS Reports" -- you know, Edward R. Murrow... "Harvest of Shame"?...when network news divisions had a soul...) Happy Birthday to us all!