Final answer:
Copland aimed to connect with musical audiences throughout his career, composing works that resonated with the public and sought to embody the spirit of American culture. He focused on creating an accessible American sound rather than solely challenging the audience or appealing to a niche group.
Step-by-step explanation:
Copland spent much of his career trying to connect with musical audiences. His aim was not merely to appeal to musical academics or focus narrowly on conducting, but to create compositions that were accessible and resonant with the general public. While he did dabble in composing operas and surely worked with academic forms, his overarching passion was for the music itself and its impact on listeners.
Other composers like Berlioz, Strauss, and Wagner pushed the boundaries of what was musically accepted at the time, and they served as progressive forces in their era. In contrast, Copland sought to cultivate a uniquely American sound that connected on a more universal level with audiences, rather than simply challenging them or appealing to niche interests.
Furthermore, Copland's work as a composer and his approach towards programming and championing works could be seen in relation to contemporary discussions about how to present and advocate for underrepresented composers. He might have considered not only the qualities of the compositions themselves but also how they were introduced to and perceived by audiences, which is a nuanced approach to the role of a composer and concert presenter.
In summary, Copland's career was characterized by a concerted effort to establish a musical language that spoke to the masses, embodying the spirit of American culture and making classical music more approachable to a broader audience.