Kaden Kennard

Mrs. Baumgart

Music 1010

October 10th, 2016

Copland vs. Shostakovich

In the early twentieth century, two great musicians and composers were born. Their

compositions would soon become works of art of their time. They were revolutionary in their

own separate ways. However, though the two men were roughly born around the same time, they

were on opposite sides of the earth. Aaron Copland was born and raised up in America while

Dmitri Shostakovich grew up in the Soviet Union. Their home countries would eventually have

an impact on the shaping of their music. For example, both men lived through World War II and

the Holocaust. However, Shostakovich had a darker tone to his music because of the events that

took place in the Soviet Union. Therefore, both men are respectively considered some of the

greatest of their time although their lives, environment, and music varied in many different ways.

To start off with, Aaron Copland was born in Brooklyn, New York on the date of

November 14th, 1900. His love of music began at a young age, learning the piano from his older

sister. He continued to play and learn more about the art throughout his younger years in the

United States. At the age of 20, he decided to move to France to broaden his knowledge of

music. He studied under some respected composers such as Nadia Boulanger. Quickly, Copland

and his upbeat/jazzy music became very popular. Now, on the other side of the planet grew a

young boy of the name Dmitri Shostakovich. Born on September 25th, 1906 in Saint Petersburg,

Russia, Dmitri rose up to be a prolific and controversial composer. He studied the piano under
his mother as well at a private school in his hometown. He also became a well known artist but

encountered a couple of trials. His work was criticized harshly, especially after Stalin didnt take

a liking to Shostakovich's opera. Though he had to be careful of what he wrote, he still

progressed as a composer and was well known. Unlike Coplands jazzy touch, Shostakovich had

a harsher tone to his array of music.

Likewise, the environment and community of Copland and Shostakovich had a large

impact on their music composition. Aaron Copland developed a style of music that could be

recognized as American and uplifting. He lived through World War II, the Great Depression, and

the Cold War. Each of these events took a toll on America physically and emotionally. The

nation desperately needed an aspect of American culture to lift people up. Copland and his music

did exactly that, it gave citizens of the United States hope and pride of their country.

Shostakovich also lived through the same three events, but was surrounded by a completely

different atmosphere. Practically everything done within the Soviet Union was closely monitored

by the Soviet government. If something was disapproved of by the government, than it would be

taken care of immediately, this including individuals. Therefore, Dmitri had to be careful of what

he composed and the meaning behind it. Thus, as a composer Shostakovich wrote music for the

pleasing of his country and government. Also, his music was meant to promote pride and honor

for his native land. The primary difference is that Shostakovich was almost required to advocate

Russia if he wanted to survive while Copland freely composed for the United States of America.

Lastly, both Copland and Shostakovich had an aspect of nationalism within their music.

Coplands message was more cheerful towards his audience. For the majority of his work, the

concept behind the lines was that at the end of the day, we will stay strong and united as one.
This was vital for the young powerhouse in the U.S. They needed a sense of pride, which was

given to them by a new system of American music. Dmitri on the other hand was a little

different, but still offered nationalism. Shostakovich compositions were filled with realism and

contained no sugarcoating. It was more there to inform the Russian people of what was

happening just in their backyard. However, Shostakovich couldnt totally express himself with

the type of government established in the Soviet Union. In fact, at one point at time Dmitri was

considered a special topic due to some comments on a controversial piece of his. Thus, he had

to be cautious of what he published. Likewise, some works of Shostakovich were not found til

after his death. They simply couldnt have been released with the type of community he lived in

at the time.

In conclusion, the different aspects of the United States and Russia had a large impact on

the growth of Copland and Shostakovich as well as their music. Though they were born within

the same decade, their lifestyles were very different and it showed in their work. They had to

adapt to very different types of government and situations taking place specifically at home.

Copland typically had more jazz and spunk that spiced up his style of American music.

Shostakovich added a touch of anguish and agony into his pieces, which reflected what was

going on in Europe. Therefore, it is safe to say that though they might have been about the same

age, started their music careers young, and went through the same worldwide historical events,

where they grew up and developed ultimately played the greatest factor in their life and view of

the world around them.