1. Create a simple listening Outline
Figure |
Commentary |
Opening - 5 |
Ø Introductory materials for the first proper theme at Figure 5 Ø Setting the mood and emphasizing the off-beats Ø Circling a “D” or simple triads (Note: The use of string-tuning materials) |
3 |
Ø After so many off-beats, resolutely on the beat Ø Folk-fiddle effects such as double or triple Stopping, and playing at the heal (Note: Copland loved the woodblock sound very much. He used it in Latin American Music) |
5 |
Ø Initial Semi-tonal riff on a D Ø The theme is in D pentatonic |
6 |
Ø B section and bringing in fourth degree of the scale. Ø Breaking free from a major pentatonic Ø Using violas to intimate string-tuning materials |
7 - 8 |
Ø A and B section Ø B over a sturdy D pedal |
9 |
Ø A surprise of B, spread ff over the entire orchestra, featuring two homorhythms |
10 - 11 |
Ø A section Ø Reaching the loudest point before figure 12 |
12 - 15 |
Ø C section in G and A minor Ø Call-and-response between different instruments |
15 - 16 |
Ø The piano makes its first surprise entry here for a D section |
17 - 18 |
Ø After a raucous episode, there is a comical transition Ø Transition to an E flat and then going from a flat to a sharp key |
19 - 21 |
Ø AB binary Theme |
21 - End |
Ø Coda, which plays with sequences of off-beat twos and threes |
2. Description of the Work to External Audiences
Rodeo is a ballet scored by Aaron Copland and choreographed by Agnes de Mille, which premiered in 1942. The ballet includes five major sections including Buckaroo Holiday, Ranch House Party, Corral Nocturne, Saturday Night Waltz, and Hoe-Down. “Hoedown” is the last part of the story. Rodeo tells the story of a cowgirl who turns up at Burnt Ranch looking for love. She falls for the head rancher and tries to woo him. However, she could not attract him at the very beginning. However, the final section, “Hoe-down”, brings all the company on the stage. The cowgirl ultimately manages to put on very pretty dress and wins the heart of the man in the end. Before enjoying the performance and listening to the music, I will try to introduce the background information such as the plot to external audiences who are familiar with the storyline. “Hoe-down” is based on unique version of the American folk song called “Bonaparte” or “Bonaparte’s Retreat” played by American ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax in 1937. The openning part of the “Hoe-down” reinterpreted the American folk song which becomes the major theme of the section. After a reprisal of the Rodeo theme, the theme proper begins in the strings, as the horns play a simple counterpoint.
3. Short Paragraph
The word “hoe-down” has many meanings. It can be used to describe a lively dance, the music played for the dance, or a party when people come together to performance the dance. In my opinion, the styles of classic music exhibited by Copland was significantly influenced by folk music from their own countries. “Hoe-down” arguably is one of the most famous works of Copland. It is deeply influenced by the folk music, “Bonaparte’s retreat”. However, despite the fact that there are many complicated elements in the work, the composer manages to bring the music back to the basic elements of pitch and rhythm. He writes the music based on ostinatos, repeated patterns and phrase shifting. He manages to communicate the information and theme to influence target audiences and show how the cowgirl and the man fall in love with each other.