The first set of "Old American Songs" was completed in 1950, the same

year that Copland finished his other major song set, "Twelve Poems of

Emily Dickinson". While Copland was writing the songs, tenor Peter

Pears and composer Benjamin Britten came to visit him. Taken by

Copland's new settings, they left with his promise of receiving copies

of the songs in England to perform. On October 17, 1950, the first set

was given its world premiere by Pears with Britten at the piano at

their Aldeburgh Festival. The American premiere took place in New York

on January 28, 1951, with Copland accompanying baritone William

Warfield. The success of the first set prompted Copland to set five

more songs. Finished in 1952, the second set was premiered by Warfield

and Copland at the Castle Hill Concerts in Massachusetts on July 24 of

that year. Copland would later orchestrate both sets for medium voice

and small orchestra. Warfield sang the premiere of the orchestrated

first set with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by Alfred

Wallenstein, on January 7, 1955. Grace Bumbry premiered the second set

with the Ojai Festival Orcestra on May 25, 1955, with Copland on the

podium.

This publication is on the ABRSM singing exam syllabus (grades 4,5,6).

Content

  - The Boatmen's Dance

  - The Dodger

  - Long Time Ago

  - Simple Gifts

  - I Bought Me a Cat

  - The Little Horses

  - Zion's Walls

  - The Golden Willow Tree

  - At the River

  - Ching-a-ring Chaw