23rd Annual Student Research Conference
Fusion of Primary Chords in Copland's "An Outdoor Overture"
Adam M. Yanick♦
Dr. Warren Gooch, Faculty Mentor
"An Outdoor Overture" by Aaron Copland was composed in 1941, and fits chronologically in the composer's repertoire between "Fanfare For the Common Man" and "Our Town". The work was originally written for a high school orchestra in New York to expose youth to "American Music" - an American work for American youths. This paper will examine Copland's use of fusion of primary chords with respect to thematic material. Specifically focusing on the tonic-dominant relationship between key centers and themes, it becomes clear that Copland's singular use of this relationship is the basis for the entire work.
Keywords: copland, overture, fusion of primary chords, band, wind ensemble
Topic(s):Music
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 57-3
Location: VH 1010
Time: 3:15