Fanfare for the Common Man - Signed Facsimile Sketch with MacDowell Colony Book

Autograph signature from the important American composer, penned on a limited edition print of the original working edition of his iconic "Fanfare for the Common Man," the facsimile issued and signed in 1982 to benefit the MacDowell Colony in New Hampshire. The facsimile is printed on four loose sheets (9.5 x 12.5 inches), with the first of these sheets signed, and enclosed in an envelope together with a slightly wrinkled title page. Together with"The MacDowell Colony: A History of its Architecture and Development," an 84-page book concerning the founding and history of the Colony. In fine condition overall.

Copland had a long association with the MacDowell Colony in New Hampshire, a working artists' retreat that has given the greatest American artists in many fields a place to work since 1907.

Copland wrote in his autobiography: "Eugene Goossens, conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, had written to me at the end of August about an idea he wanted to put into action for the 1942-43 concert season. During World War I he had asked British composers for a fanfare to begin each orchestral concert. It had been so successful that he thought to repeat the procedure in World War II with American composers". A total of 18 fanfares were written at Goossens' behest, but Copland's is the only one which remains in the standard repertoire. When Copland submitted the work's title, Goosens responded saying, "Its title is as original as its music, and I think it is so telling that it deserves a special occasion for its performance. If it is agreeable to you, we will premiere it 12 March 1943 at income tax time". Copland's reply was "I [am] all for honoring the common man at income tax time." Copland later used the fanfare as the main theme of the fourth movement of his Third Symphony. (16551)

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Classical Music

Signed Document/Item

Book

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