TV MUSIC REVIEW : CHARMING SELF-PORTRAIT OF COPLAND

“Aaron Copland: A Self-Portrait” (KCET Channel 28, tonight at 9) is more than an important document of the man and his contributions to American music--it is, thank goodness, also immensely enjoyable to watch.

From the opening, as Copland jokes with a young ensemble reading through one of his early quartets, we are drawn in by the irrepressible charm of the man, who turns 85 next month.

The program, written by Copland associate Vivian Perlis, is a sneak peek at the “American Masters” series, due next summer over PBS.

In a fast-moving hour, “Copland” mixes performance excerpts (not too long or too short) of important compositions with cogent comments from the likes of Leonard Bernstein, William Schuman, Ned Rorem, Lukas Foss and Agnes DeMille--plus some revealing reflections by the composer.

Most effective is director Allan Miller’s skillful handling of some fascinating early film clips: a brief, amusing home-made movie with Copland and the late dance critic Edwin Denby; a rare look from the balcony onto the first performance (1942) of “Rodeo,” with choreographer DeMille dancing the Cowgirl; a rough glimpse of Copland hurrying through the icy streets of Chicago to attend a concert of his music.

Also enjoyable is a breezy analysis of the Piano Variations by Michael Tilson Thomas, who scat-sings through one passage. Primarily, it is the genuine warmth and modesty of Copland that proves most captivating. You’d never guess he is acclaimed the Dean of American Composers. As Ned Rorem notes: “He invented almost out of whole cloth what it means to be an American.”