ney was not extraordinary, the steady income proved to be just what the composer was looking for. Not only was Copland able to rest and make money, but this period of his life allowed him to focus on the future of his music. He studied and taught other types of more modern musical pieces and learned as much as he taught. Copland also did a lot of musical promoting at this time. The book devotes an entire section to an number of concerts Copland organized with Roger Sessions. Along with these concerts in New York, Copland sponsored a number of other concerts that greatly solidified the worldwide respect for American music. Although American music was being praised at this time, Copland expressed his distress at the influence of musical critics. After the Yaddo Music Festival in 1932, Copland said: "Frankly, I am consider daily newspaper criticism a menace, and we would be better off without it." (pp. 206) During these years, Copland also felt great influence from Russian neoclassical composers. Specifically mentioned is Igor Stravinsky. Between the years of Coplands 30th and 35th birthdays, Copland composed a number of pieces that showed this influence. One such work is Short Symphony, of which Copland says he is very fond. In fact, Copland calls the piece one of his "neglected children". (pp. 212) He says that, to him, it means more that pieces such as this receive less attention than some of his more popular works. This is interesting to me given his known dislike of critics. It seems to me that he views his work with a loving heart, and prefers that it remain only to be enjoyed by himself and those willing to listen with an open mind.In the 1930s Copland spent a good deal of time in Mexico. He wrote a number of pieces that expressed the influences he had there. Although Copland was distinctly American, he still managed to capture the spirit of another country with his music. Although many Latin fans were supportive...
