Rob Kapilow on Aaron Copland's "Appalachian Spring" via NPR

In honor of Independence Day, at least in a big picture sort of way, composer and commentator Rob Kapilow takes on composer Aaron Copland's iconic work, Appalachian Spring.

Here is a bit of Kapilow's take:

"'Copland's Appalachian Spring has a million things in it,' Kapilow says, 'but at its heart is one chord, which is not only the essence of Appalachian Spring but in my mind Copland's entire vision of America.'"

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And as long as we're on the subject of national holidays, patriotism and the like, here is Kapilow's take on the greatness of the song, America the Beautiful.

Rob Kapilow will cover Mendelssohn's Octet in E-flat Major and The Music of Cole Porter during the 2009-2010 season. Appalachian Spring was presented by the Celebrity Series as the subject of a What Makes It Great? program in 2000.