The “Dean of American Composers” Aaron Copland died on this day, December 2, in 1990 (b. 1900). Copland named Igor Stravinsky as his “hero” and his favorite 20th-century composer. Interestingly, Stravinsky was photographed by Karsh on March 20, 1956 whereas Copland was photographed earlier, on February 22, 1956.