Title
Music for a Great City
For
orchestra
Year Composed
1964
Scoring
3(II=picc,III=picc,afl).2.corA.2.bcl.2.dbn-4.3.3.0-timp.perc(5): glsp/gong/vib/xyl/conga dr/timbales/cowbells/cyms/susp.cym/tgl/ claves/maracas/tpl.bl/wdbl/whip/BD/SD/TD/rattle/sandpaper-harp-pft (cel)-strings
ARCO Number(s)
84
Category
Orchestral
Duration
24'
Movements
  • I. Skyline
  • II. Night Thoughts
  • III. Subway Jam
  • IV. Toward the Bridge
Premiere
  • World: London, May 26th, 1964 (London Symphony Orchestra, cond. Copland)
Commission Info
The London Symphony Orchestra in celebration of its sixtieth anniversary season
Dedication
To the members of the London Symphony
Publisher
Boosey & Hawkes
Publishing Status
Published
Buying Options
Boosey & Hawkes
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Program Note

Copland was drawn to the film, Something Wild, an unusual psychological drama about the feelings of a young girl learning to live with violence and with the moods of the city. The scenario required long stretches of uninterrupted music which Copland later shaped into a symphonic suite to satisfy a commission from the London Symphony Orchestra. The four movements are titled: Skyline, Night Thoughts, Subway Jam, and Toward the Bridge.

Author
Vivian Perlis
Year
1998