Title
Canticle of Freedom
For
mixed chorus (SATB) and orchestra
Year Composed
1955
Year Modified
1966 (revised)
Scoring
2.picc.2(II=corA ad lib).2.2-4.3.3.1-timp.perc(4):glsp/gong/t.bells/ vib/xyl/cyms/susp.cym/tam-t/tgl/wdbl/whip/BD/SD-harp-strings
ARCO Number(s)
71
Categories
Orchestral Choral
Duration
13'
Premieres
  • 1. World: Cambridge, MA, May 8th, 1955 (Chorus and Orchestra of MIT, cond. Klaus Liepmann)
  • 2. Revised Version: Atlanta, GA, October 19th, 1967 (Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, cond. Robert Shaw)
Commission Info
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, for the dedication of its newly built Kresge Auditorium
Related Persons
Publisher
Boosey & Hawkes
Publishing Status
Published
Arrangements
Canticle of Freedom (for band) (arr. Thomas C. Duffy)
Buying Options
Boosey & Hawkes
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Program Note

A patriotic work for chorus and orchestra written originally for a non-professional chorus. Copland confined himself to two-part choral writing and to introducing the chorus only in the final third. As he wanted to "Make a big noise," a large battery of percussion is called for in the orchestra. The piece was revised later for a performance conducted by Robert Shaw.

Author
Vivian Perlis
Year
1998