Title
Letter from Home
For
dance orchestra
Year Composed
1944
Scoring
1.1.0.0.4sax-1.3.3.1-perc-gtr-pno-hp-strings
ARCO Number(s)
54
Category
Chamber
Duration
7'
Premiere
  • World: New York, NY, October 17th, 1944 (Paul Whiteman and his orchestra)
Commission Info
Paul Whiteman and the American Broadcasting Company
Publishing Status
Not Published

Program Note

During WWII, Copland could feel that he was doing his part for the War effort by composing patriotic music that would be meaningful to the general public. He accepted a commission from bandleader Paul Whiteman, who was requesting pieces from famous composers to be played by his orchestra on the Philco Radio Hour of the American Broadcasting System. The result was the touching Letter From Home. Following the radio premiere, Copland shortened the piece slightly and expanded the orchestration so that it could be performed in the concert hall.

Author
Vivian Perlis
Year
1998