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Aaron Copland's Hollywood Film Scores
-
Paula Musegades
Language:
English
Published/Copyright:
2020
About this book
A pioneering study of how American composer Aaron Copland helped shape the sound of the Hollywood film industry and introduced the moviegoing public to modern musical styles.
One of the most influential and beloved American composers, Aaron Copland played a critical role in shaping what is often recognized as the "American sound." He is best known for achieving this through his works for the concert hall and ballet. Yet his film scores, though less familiar nowadays, were equally influential.
Between 1939 and 1949, Copland composed the music for five major Hollywood films: Lewis Milestone's Of Mice and Men (1939), Sam Wood's Our Town (1940), Lewis Milestone's The North Star (1943) and The Red Pony (1949), and William Wyler's The Heiress (1949). These were high-prestige projects, based on literary works by such respected figures as Henry James, Lillian Hellman, and John Steinbeck.
Using the film medium to introduce the moviegoing public to modern musical styles, Copland challenged Hollywood's traditional uses of music in film. His innovative approaches enhanced important national themes running through these films while also contributing to Hollywood's transformation as the Great Depression gave way to wartime tribulation and, eventually, postwar prosperity and Red Scare paranoia. Aaron Copland's Hollywood Film Scores explores Copland's scores, interviews, and lectures, tracing his legacy and lasting influence on Hollywood's sound.
One of the most influential and beloved American composers, Aaron Copland played a critical role in shaping what is often recognized as the "American sound." He is best known for achieving this through his works for the concert hall and ballet. Yet his film scores, though less familiar nowadays, were equally influential.
Between 1939 and 1949, Copland composed the music for five major Hollywood films: Lewis Milestone's Of Mice and Men (1939), Sam Wood's Our Town (1940), Lewis Milestone's The North Star (1943) and The Red Pony (1949), and William Wyler's The Heiress (1949). These were high-prestige projects, based on literary works by such respected figures as Henry James, Lillian Hellman, and John Steinbeck.
Using the film medium to introduce the moviegoing public to modern musical styles, Copland challenged Hollywood's traditional uses of music in film. His innovative approaches enhanced important national themes running through these films while also contributing to Hollywood's transformation as the Great Depression gave way to wartime tribulation and, eventually, postwar prosperity and Red Scare paranoia. Aaron Copland's Hollywood Film Scores explores Copland's scores, interviews, and lectures, tracing his legacy and lasting influence on Hollywood's sound.
Author / Editor information
Contributor: Paula Musegades
PAULA MUSEGADES is an assistant professor in Music and American Studies at Brandeis University.
Reviews
Thorough and occasionally eye-opening. One of the book's strengths is the clarity of its organization. Some scenes are broken down in great detail, almost shot by shot. The copious musical examples are laid out in short score, making relevant detail visually clear. Worthy of being on the shelves of every research library, as well as in the personal libraries of anyone with a specific, abiding interest in the music and politics of Hollywood in the Thirties and Forties.
Topics
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Frontmatter
i -
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Contents
vi -
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Acknowledgments
vii -
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Introduction
1 -
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1. Setting the Standard: Hollywood’s Studio System
8 -
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2. Breaking with Tradition: Copland’s Theories on Film Music
24 -
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3. Scoring Morality: Of Mice and Men (1939)
40 -
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4. Keeping It Simple: Our Town (1940)
58 -
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5. “Doing His Bit”: The North Star (1943)
74 -
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6. Sophisticated Simplicity: The Red Pony (1949)
92 -
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7. Silence and Sound: The Heiress (1949)
112 -
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8. Hearing the Shift: Copland’s Lasting Impact on Hollywood
145 -
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Notes
165 -
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Bibliography
183 -
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Index
193
Publishing information
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
eBook published on:
January 17, 2024
eBook ISBN:
9781787449121
Original publisher:
University of Rochester Press
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
eBook ISBN:
9781787449121
Keywords for this book
Aaron Copland; American composer; American music; American sound; Copland's legacy; film industry; film scores influence; Hollywood Film Scores; Hollywood transformation; modern musical styles; music in film; musical innovation
Audience(s) for this book
For an expert adult audience, including professional development and academic research
