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Nationalist and Populist Composers

Voices of the American People

Steve Schwartz

Populism and nationalism in classical music held a significant place between the world wars with composers such as George Gershwin, Aaron Copland, and Leonard Bernstein creating a soundtrack to the lives of everyday Americans. While biographies of these individual composers exist, no single book has taken on this period as a direct contradiction to the modernist dichotomy between the music of Stravinsky and Schoenberg.

In Nationalist and Populist Composers: Voices of the American People, Steve Schwartz offers an overdue correction to this distortion of the American classical music tradition by showing that not all composers of this era fall into either the Stravinsky or Schoenberg camps. Exploring the rise and decline of musical populism in the United States, Schwartz examines the major works of George Gershwin, Randall Thompson, Virgil Thomson, Aaron Copland, Roy Harris, Kurt Weill, Morton Gould, and Leonard Bernstein. Organized chronologically, chapters cover each composer’s life and career and then reveal how key works participated in populist and nationalist themes.

Written for the both the scholar and amateur enthusiast interested in modern classical music and American social history, Nationalist and Populist Composers creates a contextual frame through which all audiences can better understand such works as Rhapsody in Blue, Appalachian Spring, and West Side Story.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 438 • Trim: 6½ x 9¼

978-1-4422-5766-5 • Hardback • December 2017 • $117.00 • (£90.00)

978-1-4422-5767-2 • eBook • December 2017 • $111.00 • (£85.00)

Series: Modern Traditionalist Classical Music

Subjects: Music / Genres & Styles / Classical, Music / Individual Composer & Musician

Nationalist and Populist Composers

Voices of the American People

Hardback

eBook

Summary

Populism and nationalism in classical music held a significant place between the world wars with composers such as George Gershwin, Aaron Copland, and Leonard Bernstein creating a soundtrack to the lives of everyday Americans. While biographies of these individual composers exist, no single book has taken on this period as a direct contradiction to the modernist dichotomy between the music of Stravinsky and Schoenberg.

In Nationalist and Populist Composers: Voices of the American People, Steve Schwartz offers an overdue correction to this distortion of the American classical music tradition by showing that not all composers of this era fall into either the Stravinsky or Schoenberg camps. Exploring the rise and decline of musical populism in the United States, Schwartz examines the major works of George Gershwin, Randall Thompson, Virgil Thomson, Aaron Copland, Roy Harris, Kurt Weill, Morton Gould, and Leonard Bernstein. Organized chronologically, chapters cover each composer’s life and career and then reveal how key works participated in populist and nationalist themes.

Written for the both the scholar and amateur enthusiast interested in modern classical music and American social history, Nationalist and Populist Composers creates a contextual frame through which all audiences can better understand such works as Rhapsody in Blue, Appalachian Spring, and West Side Story.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 438 • Trim: 6½ x 9¼

978-1-4422-5766-5 • Hardback • December 2017 • $117.00 • (£90.00)

978-1-4422-5767-2 • eBook • December 2017 • $111.00 • (£85.00)

Series: Modern Traditionalist Classical Music

Subjects: Music / Genres & Styles / Classical, Music / Individual Composer & Musician

Author

Steve Schwartz has served as a classical music reviewer for Classical Net, Classical CD Review, and The American Record Guide. He holds a doctorate in English from the University of Michigan.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1George Gershwin: Sweet and Low-Down
Chapter 2Randall Thompson: The Choir Visible
Chapter 3Virgil Thompson: Plainspeaking
Chapter 4Aaron Copland: Prophets, Cowboys, and the Common Man
Chapter 5Roy Harris: Pioneers! O Pioneers!
Chapter 6Kurt Weill: Shapeshifter on Broadway
Chapter 7Morton Gould: The Artist as Professional
Chapter 8Leonard Bernstein: American Idol:
Afterword: Sic transit

Reviews

With a new appreciation inspired by Schwartz’s writing, I listened to Gershwin and played his songs on the piano non-stop for at least a week after reading it. Any author whose work can elicit that type of newfound enthusiasm is no slouch. . . . The crowning glory of this book is its appeal to professional and amateur alike; it is written a manner that is both accessible and informative for anybody who is interested in American music. Schwartz’s analyses of the works are quite helpful, as he includes recording timings to indicate important points on a recording, so you can follow the music without necessarily needing a printed score. For myself, I have a feeling I will be returning to this book for reference in the future. A great read.
— Fanfare Magazine

With the words "populist" and "populism" gaining a more prominent place in everyday discussion, how refreshing to read Steve Schwartz’s well-crafted and insightful account of music’s populists. The distinct voices of eight American composers are explored in depth. Original, impassioned, and highly recommended.
— Barbara Nissman, pianist

Steve Schwartz has written a wonderful book about eight populist composers who were trying to create a language that would appeal to a wide audience. The influence of these populists can still be heard, and Schwartz's book should be in every library in the land.
— Donald Clarke, author, Penguin Encyclopedia of Popular Music; Wishing on the Moon: The Life and Times of Billie Holiday; The Rise and Fall of Popular Music; and All or Nothing at all: A Life of Frank Sinatra

Nationalist and Populist Composers

Voices of the American People

Steve Schwartz

Nationalist and Populist Composers

Voices of the American People

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