Fanfare for the Common Man

I have been listening to the "Meditation" channel on Yahoo! Music LAUNCHcast during my devos and this tune has come on a couple of times - Fanfare for the Common Man by 20th century composer Aaron Copland. You will probably recognize it right away. You can click here to hear a clip. I think it is really cool.

Copland wrote in his autobiography: Eugene Goossens, conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, had written to me at the end of August about an idea he wanted to put into action for the 1942-43 concert season.

You see, fanfares had become popular during WW1 to start off a symphony concert and Goossens thought that it might work again during WW2.

As for the name, Copland titled it Fanfare for the Common Man rather than giving it a title that had something to do with the war effort.

Copland's fanfare was very simple with that very memorable F, Bb, upper F motiff. And if it makes you think of ABC's Wide World of Sports it is for a good reason. They used it for their theme for a long time - might even still use it!

It was debuted by the Cincinnati Symphony on March 12, 1943 on tax day, for the common man. Tye out.