Composer

:

Aaron Copland

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Incidental Music

Compose Date

:

1939

Average_duration

:

9:52

Aaron Copland's 'Quiet City, complete incidental music' was composed in 1939 for a play by Irwin Shaw. The play was titled 'Quiet City' and was about a trumpet player who struggles to find his place in the world. The music was premiered on October 26, 1940, at the Guild Theatre in New York City. The music consists of three movements: 'Scene', 'Night Thoughts', and 'Street'. The first movement, 'Scene', sets the stage for the play with a haunting melody played by the English horn. The trumpet then enters with a solo that represents the main character's struggle. The movement ends with a reprise of the English horn melody. The second movement, 'Night Thoughts', is a slow and introspective piece that features a solo trumpet and a solo English horn. The trumpet represents the main character's thoughts and the English horn represents the city around him. The movement ends with a return to the haunting melody from the first movement. The final movement, 'Street', is a lively and energetic piece that represents the hustle and bustle of the city. The trumpet and English horn play off each other, representing the main character's struggle to find his place in the city. The movement ends with a triumphant reprise of the main theme. The music of 'Quiet City' is characterized by Copland's use of simple melodies and harmonies. The music is often described as "American" in its sound, with influences from jazz and folk music. The use of the English horn and trumpet as solo instruments gives the music a unique and haunting quality. Overall, 'Quiet City, complete incidental music' is a beautiful and evocative piece of music that perfectly captures the mood and themes of the play it was written for. It remains a beloved work in Copland's oeuvre and a testament to his skill as a composer.

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