The first set of Old American Songs was completed in 1950, the same year that Copland finished his other major song set, Twelve Poems of Emily Dickinson. While Copland was writing the songs, tenor Peter Pears and composer Benjamin Britten came to visit him. Taken by Copland's new settings, they left with his promise of receiving copies of the songs in England to perform. On October 17, 1950, the first set was given its world premiere by Pears with Britten at the piano at their Aldeburgh Festival...