Richard Todd wrote:

> The tune as we know it was adapted from the Shaker original.  The two
> are similar, though not so closely that a casual listener would
> recognize the Shaker version immediately.  Still, I think that the
> tune as Copland realized it is sufficiently embedded in our culture
> now that plagiarism isn't an issue.

I really don't understand the fuss on this list and on the Opera-L about
plagiarism in this instance.  As you correctly point out, it's a melody
"embedded in our culture." Furthermore, composers throughout history
have paid homage to other composers by "quoting" them.

All the best,

C. Hugh Marsh
Santa Barbara, California
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