Old American Songs
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Old American Songs is a set of songs by Aaron Copland, originally scored for voice and piano and reworked for baritone with orchestral accompaniment. It is divided into two sets composed in 1950 and 1952 respectively. Set I was first performed by Peter Pears (tenor) and Benjamin Britten (piano) on June 17, 1950 at Aldeburgh.
The version of Set I for baritone and orchestra was premiered on January 7, 1955, with William Warfield and the Los Angeles Philharmonic conducted by Alfred Wallenstein.
Set II was first performed by William Warfield (baritone) and Aaron Copland (piano) on 25 May 1958 in Ipswich, Massachusetts and in the orchestral arrangement in Ojai, California by the Ojai Festival Orchestra, with Grace Bumbry (mezzo-soprano) conducted by the composer.
Set 1:
- The Boatmen's Dance (Minstrel song – 1843)
- The Dodger (Campaign song)
- Long Time Ago (Ballad)
- Simple Gifts (Shaker song)
- I Bought Me a Cat (Children’s song)
Set II
- The Little Horses (lullaby)
- Zion’s Walls (revivalist song)
- The Golden Willow Tree (Anglo-American ballad)
- At the River (hymn tune)
- Ching-A-Ring Chaw (Minstrel song)
Old American Songs is published by Boosey & Hawkes. The voice and piano version is easily transcribed to any register and the orchestral version has also been transcribed though it is usually sung in the original keys with a baritone soloist. Old American Songs has been recorded by many other famous singers, including baritones Thomas Hampson and Bryn Terfel.
