Copland, Symphony No.3

Aaron Copland (1900-1990), one of the most "American" of American composers, developed his unmistakable style by assimilating influences from popular and folk music of North and South America, as well as from European art music. He became friends with Bernstein in 1937 and, as his composition teacher, exercised perhaps the strongest influence on Bernstein, the composer. Copland's Third Symphony is a very special work for Leonard Bernstein, since he conducted it several times with the Israel Philharmonic during his triumphal tour of Israel in 1948.