Title
An Outdoor Overture
For
orchestra
Year Composed
1938
Scoring
2.picc.2.2.2-4.2.3.0-timp.perc(3):xyl/cyms/tgl/BD/SD-cel(ad lib)-pft-strings
ARCO Number(s)
34
Category
Orchestral
Duration
10'
Premiere
  • World: New York, NY, December 16th, 1938 (High School of Music and Art Orchestra, cond. Alexander Richter)
Commission Info
Alexander Richter and the High School of Music and Art in New York
Dedication
Written specially for and dedicated to the High School of Music and Art in New York
Publisher
Boosey & Hawkes
Publishing Status
Published

Program Note

Composing for young performers was always close to Copland's heart, so he accepted the commission for a large orchestra piece from the High School of Music and Art in New York City. Copland wanted to play a role in introducing good contemporary American music to young players. In a review, Elliott Carter wrote: "Its opening is as lofty and beautiful as any passage that has been written by a contemporary composer. It is Copland in his prophetic vein. . . never before has he expressed it so simply and directly."

Author
Vivian Perlis
Year
1998