A Song for the Olympic Closing Ceremonies: Fanfare for the Common Man by Aaron Copland



Photo: Wikimedia Commons



“Fanfare for the Common Man” has jumped up on the Freegal download charts, probably because its soaring tones and theme echo the feel of the Olympics.

Aaron Copland, though born in the Bronx of Russian-Jewish parents, has captured the soul of the western and Midwestern US in his pieces.

I took a look at where “Fanfare” has been used and it’s all over the American culture spectrum.

It’s popped up in CBS Sports Spectacular, in Navy recruitment ads, the Chicago Black Hawks games, Bob Dylan concerts, the Obama inauguration, and for a procession of Queen Elizabeth II herself.

If you like Copland’s work, I’d highly recommend “Appalachian Spring” and “Rodeo” as well.