Coplandia, or the Ideological American Sound

Abstract

This thesis defines and explores Coplandia, a body of commercial music derivative of Aaron Copland's populist compositions. Coplandia occurs in film, television, advertisements, and at public events, inspiring feelings of American patriotism. It is musically rooted in Copland's ballets, chamber music, and film scores of the 1930s and `40s, adapted through simplification for the commercial realm. This thesis examines the connections between Coplandia and Aaron Copland, considering the political implications of Copland's own life and the circumstances surrounding the use of music derivative of Copland's compositions.