Aaron Copland and the McCarthy Trials

Aaron Copland and the McCarthy Trials

Introduction

Joseph R. McCarthy's casual accusations of communism destroyed the lives of many political figures, artists, and others. The United States was in the mist of healing its World War II wounds and the fear of communism was at its peak. According to the text, McCarthy capitalized on the fears of communism our nation was experiencing to propel his popularity and tarnish the reputations of his fellow opponents. During a speech in Wheeling, West Virginia in 1950, McCarthy waved a piece of paper, claiming he had a list of 205 or 81 or 57 or "a lot" of communist, sympathizers and soviet spies in the State Department among other places. The number of people he supposedly had on the list was never verified, however, he continued to change the numbers throughout the years. The frenzy and hysteria that he created grew into an uncontrollable avalanche that dramatically affected the lives of people he pointed the "red commie" finger at.

Copland was born in Brooklyn November 14, 1900, to Jewish parents emigrated from Lithuania. He began his musical studies with Leopold Wolfsohn, Victor Wittgenstein and Clarence Adler (piano), and then the theory is working with Rubin Goldmark in 1917. After studying for three years in France, Aaron Copland returned to New York. The result of his trip was impressive: a musician, not only acquired the necessary professional knowledge, but also was the author of numerous works, among which the most significant was the ballet "Grog", written by the advice and guidance of Nadia Boulanger. Although the ballet was never delivered, his music was the basis for creating one of the most famous composer's works - "Dance Symphony." In addition to "grog", can be called two of Copland started in Paris: piano Passacaglia and Rondino ...