The Music Plays On — Copland Lincoln Portrait

Aaron Copland was commissioned in 1942 by Andre Kostelanetz to write a piece that was a musical portrait of an “eminent American.” Copland chose Abraham Lincoln. What makes this fifteen minute piece stand out is that the first half is a musical portrait that quotes folk songs that were popular during Lincoln’s day, and the second half a narrator (and it’s not necessary that the composer reads music) is used to speak the text from a variety of Lincoln’s speeches and letters, including the Gettysburg Address. The words are easy enough to understand, in most performances, but here they are to read are you hear it again.

Fellow citizens, we cannot escape history. We of this congress and this administration will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal significance or insignificance can spare one or another of us. The fiery trial through which we pass will light us down in honor or dishonor to the latest generation. We, even we here, hold the power and bear the responsibility. (Annual Message to Congress [since the twentieth century, State of the Union], December 1, 1862)

The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves and then we shall save our country…