Aaron Copland…

was born on this date in 1900.

Martha Graham: “When Aaron first presented me with the music its title was Ballet for Martha – simple, and as direct as the Shaker theme that runs through it. I took some words from the poetry of Hart Crane and retitled it Appalachian Spring. When Aaron appeared in Washington for a rehearsal, before the October 30, 1944, premiere, he said to me, “Martha, what have you named the ballet?”

And when I told him he asked, “Does it have anything to do with the ballet?”

“No”, I said, “I just like the title.”