Aaron Copland - Piano Variations

This is an absolutely incredible piece, especially from a compositional standpoint. You can read all about it at the Wikipedia page, there's a full analysis of the work. VERY compelling work.

Copland Piano Variations - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Yeah, I agree, this is an amazing piece. I played it myself. Definitely one of the best 20th century American piano works. I only wish Copland had continued along the lines of this wonderfully dissonant piece instead of reverting to his more familiar populist Americana idiom in works like Billy the Kid and Appalachian Spring.

Originally Posted by gianluca

Yeah, I agree, this is an amazing piece. I played it myself. Definitely one of the best 20th century American piano works. I only wish Copland had continued along the lines of this wonderfully dissonant piece instead of reverting to his more familiar populist Americana idiom in works like Billy the Kid and Appalachian Spring.

Yeah, I hate music that people like and still stands the test of time with its artistry.

wait isnt this piece like made up of random notes? looks like it to me
im sorry can you please help me how to listen to 20th century music?

Originally Posted by z916

wait isnt this piece like made up of random notes? looks like it to me
im sorry can you please help me how to listen to 20th century music?

It most definitely isn't. I don't think I recall any music I listen to that is "just a bunch of random notes". Especially Copland of all people, the man obviously knew what he was doing.. So feel free to explain yourself at any time. Have you even listened to the piece? Or read the wikipedia page I posted?

i heard it on youtube and i was like "what?" but it does have a boring summer's day feeling

do you listen to this kind of music for fun? maybe i just have to get used to it or maybe ill play it

Originally Posted by z916

i heard it on youtube and i was like "what?" but it does have a boring summer's day feeling

Of course, I was drawn to it because it was on a cd I got from my university library with some other modern piano works on it. Among Persichetti, Barber's sonata, and some other bit, this one stood out to me the most. Again, it's a very compelling work. And from a purely asthetic point of view, some parts of the piece are just damn powerful, it gets you from the gut. Especially the repeated gestures uses throughout the work, like the dotted rhythms, or the every-driving insistent pedal points in the low end of the piano he uses at certain variations in the piece.