Aaron Copland Quotes, born November 14, 1900, in Brooklyn, New York, was an American composer, conductor, and educator, often called the “Dean of American Composers.” Renowned for his populist style, he created iconic works like Appalachian Spring, Billy the Kid, Rodeo, and Fanfare for the Common Man, evoking the American landscape and spirit. His compositions, blending simplicity and sophistication, earned him a Pulitzer Prize (1945) and an Academy Award for The Heiress (1949). Copland’s writings, including What to Listen for in Music, shaped music education.
These 15 quotes—sourced from his books, interviews, and speeches—reflect his insights on music’s emotional power, creative process, and role in human life, capturing his luminous, heartfelt legacy until his passing in 1990.
15 Aaron Copland Quotes
- “To stop the flow of music would be like the stopping of time itself, incredible and inconceivable.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “The whole problem can be stated quite simply by asking, ‘Is there a meaning to music?’ My answer would be, ‘Yes.’ And ‘Can you state in so many words what the meaning is?’ My answer to that would be ‘No.’” (Goodreads, n.d.)
- “So long as the human spirit thrives on this planet, music in some living form will accompany and sustain it and give it expressive meaning.” (AZQuotes, n.d.)
- “Inspiration may be a form of super-consciousness, or perhaps of subconsciousness—I wouldn’t know. But I am sure it is the antithesis of self-consciousness.” (Goodreads, n.d.)
- “A melody is not merely something you can hum.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “You compose because you want to somehow summarize in some permanent form your most basic feelings about being alive, to set down… some sort of permanent statement about the way it feels to live now, today.” (AZQuotes, n.d.)
- “Most people use music as a couch; they want to be pillowed on it, relaxed and consoled for the stress of daily living. But serious music was never meant to be soporific.” (QuoteFancy, n.d.)
- “For me, the most important thing is the element of chance that is built into a live performance.” (AZQuotes, n.d.)
- “There is something about music that keeps its distance even at the moment that it engulfs us. It is at the same time outside and away from us and inside and part of us.” (AZQuotes, n.d.)
- “The main thing is to be satisfied with your work yourself. It’s useless to have an audience happy if you are not happy.” (QuoteFancy, n.d.)
- “You may be sitting in a room reading this book. Imagine one note struck upon the piano. Immediately that one note is enough to change the atmosphere of the room—proving that the sound element in music is a powerful and mysterious agent.” (Goodreads, n.d.)
- “I don’t compose. I assemble materials.” (AZQuotes, n.d.)
- “When I speak of the gifted listener, I am thinking of the nonmusician primarily, of the listener who intends to retain his amateur status.” (Successories, n.d.)
- “If you want to know about the Sixties, play the music of The Beatles.” (Goodreads, n.d.)
- “The greatest moments of the human spirit may be deduced from the greatest moments in music.” (AZQuotes, n.d.)
Aaron Copland’s quotes resonate with profound passion, creative wisdom, and a deep belief in music’s power to express the human spirit, inspiring us to listen deeply and create authentically. Which quote strikes a chord with your soul? Share it in the comments and keep Copland’s musical legacy thriving!
Emma Thompson
Hi, I'm Emma Thompson, founder of MyLittleDesire. I share relationship advice, love quotes, and thoughtful gift ideas to help you express your feelings and strengthen your bonds. Let's celebrate love together!
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