NPR

On 'Fanfare For The Common Man,' An Anthem For The American Century

Written in the thick of WWII, Aaron Copland's piece seems to have hope woven between its notes. Mandalit del Barco asks why so many who hear it, from presidents to prog rockers, are still so moved.
An enormous New York crowd celebrates VE Day at the end of WWII. Aaron Copland was inspired to write his "Fanfare for the Common Man" by a wartime speech rallying Americans against imperialism.

Aaron Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man" begins with dramatic percussion, heralding something big and exciting. Then comes a ladder of simple trumpet notes, solemn and heroic. The whole piece takes less than four minutes to play, but its admirers say it speaks volumes in that time.

"It's a piece that feels like it was written by God," says jazz trumpeter and composer . "Whenever I hear it, it stops

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