<P> The song was largely unknown outside Shaker communities until Aaron Copland used its melody for the score of Martha Graham 's ballet Appalachian Spring ( Shakers once worshipped on Holy Mount , in the Appalachians ) , first performed in 1944 . Copland used `` Simple Gifts '' a second time in 1950 in his first set of Old American Songs for voice and piano , which was later orchestrated . Many people thought that the tune of `` Simple Gifts '' was a traditional Celtic one but both the music and original lyrics are actually the compositions of Brackett . `` Simple Gifts '' has been adapted or arranged many times since by folksingers and composers . </P>
<P> The song was largely unknown outside Shaker communities until Aaron Copland used its melody for the score of Martha Graham 's ballet Appalachian Spring ( Shakers once worshipped on Holy Mount , in the Appalachians ) , first performed in 1944 . Copland used `` Simple Gifts '' a second time in 1950 in his first set of Old American Songs for voice and piano , which was later orchestrated . Many people thought that the tune of `` Simple Gifts '' was a traditional Celtic one but both the music and original lyrics are actually the compositions of Brackett . `` Simple Gifts '' has been adapted or arranged many times since by folksingers and composers . </P>
what american composer arranged simple gifts for orchestra
what american composer arranged simple gifts for orchestra
Aaron Copland
Aaron Copland