Aaron Copland's use of quotation, harmony, and rhythm in Mood for Piano no. 3, "Jazzy," written before he departed Brooklyn for Paris, reveals important features of his aesthetics. The piece, though obscure, represents Copland's ability to blend popular and classical styles. The opening of the first theme of "Jazzy" resembles openings in Tin Pan Alley hits such as Alexander's Ragtime Band and Oh Joe, With Your Fiddle and Bow, with "slangy lyrics" and ragtime rhythms. The second theme in "Jazzy" quotes the tune My Buddy, popular in the World War I era. Copland paraphrased the tune in "Jazzy" and changed the meter from triple to duple. He retained the chromaticism of the original, found in the melody and the harmony. In addition to these quotations and allusions, Copland may have used Leo Ornstein's Three Moods for Piano as a structural model for "Jazzy." Some of Copland's sonorities resemble Scriabin's "mystic chord." He also uses the chromatic shifts present in the bridge of Zez Confrey's Kitten on the Keys as a basis for his more dramatic chromaticism. Overall, Copland uses parody to satirize popular songs, to use jazz rhythms in a new way, and to borrow modern harmonies and make them accessible.

Works: Copland: Mood for Piano no. 3, "Jazzy" (277-82, 289-93).

Sources: Berlin: Alexander's Ragtime Band (282); Walter Donaldson: Oh, Joe, With Your Fiddle and Bow (You Stole My Heart Away) (282); Gus Kahn and Walter Donaldson: My Buddy (283-89, 292); Ornstein: Three Moods for Piano (290); Confrey: Kitten on the Keys (291).

Index Classifications: 1900s

Contributed by: Katie Lundeen