Aaron Copland : Fanfare for the Common Man (piano solo adaptation)

This iconic 1943 piece needs no introduction from me. It was apparently written in honour of the common man at income tax time. To play this piano version I am using a 1999 arrangement for solo instrument and piano published by the Aaron Copland Fund for Music. The piano part largely incorporates the solo line, and it is not difficult to add in the extra notes. This version is used by trumpet players (I came across it while preparing to accompany one for an exam). I think it sounds odd with trumpet and piano - which cannot really represent the original brass and percussion orchestration - but turning it into a piano solo somehow makes a different piece. Nevertheless, I put this forward as a curiosity and in no way as an alternative to the majestic original.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------­---------------------------Played by Phillip Sear
http://www.psear.co.uk

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[yummyummy9]

Any possibility of me getting the sheet music for this piece?

[PSearPianist]

@yummyummy9 Well, I played from an arrangement for trumpet and piano published by (if I remember correctly) Boosey & Hawkes - which I don't have a copy of, as I borrowed it from a trumpeter.

[3HKnives]

where can you get this as an mp3? I would love to have this version in my mp3 library?

[PSearPianist]

@3HKnives That's very kind. You could download the video and extract the MP3 using online tools such as those available from DVDVideosoft and Realplayer.

[douglassmcann]

Thanku for this thematic icon... As well sir for your creative arrangement.....

[PSearPianist]

@douglassmcann That's a pleasure!

[PSearPianist]

@CariLaythorpe Thank you for that!

[CariLaythorpe]

This is brilliant. Lovely to listen to.

Fanfare for the Common Man is one of my favourite pieces of orchestral music. I love the harmonies and they become really clear on the piano.

You say in your commentary that you can't represent the percussion very well, but I think the stabs on the bass notes on the piano give a clear indication of the bass drum in the orchestra. The reverb is similar and the dynamics are excellent.

[PSearPianist]

@52dinosaur Thank you for that!

[52dinosaur]

Love this - I had never heard of Copland until my daughter played one of his compositions on flute - obviously I need to listen to some more - can't really imagine this with trumpet?? But your piano version sounds great.