Copland, Aaron: Prairie Journal (1937, retitled 1968) 12'

(originally titled `Music for Radio')

Scoring
2(II=picc).2.2.asax(=cl).tsax(=bcl).1-2.3(2).2.1-timp.perc(2):vib/ xyl/tgl/BD-harp-pft(cel)-strings

Programme Note  
Radio was a novel and exciting medium for classical music in the 1930s. Copland always enjoyed the challenge of something new, so he welcomed a commission from CBS for an orchestral work specifically for their network. He used several special effects, such as muted trumpets, woodwinds at the microphone, and a vibraphone. A contest for the title was announced, and the winner was Music for Radio, Saga of the Prairie. The piece was later renamed Prairie Journal.

-Vivian Perlis, 1998

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