Hoedown From Rodeo

Hoedown From Rodeo

1. Rodeo:Rodeo is an American ballet, both in story and in the style of music.Throughout the American South-west, the Saturday afternoon rodeo was a long-standing tradition.The cowboy ranch workers got together to show off their skill at roping, riding and branding horses and cattle.The afternoon exhibition was usually followed by a Saturday night dance.

   • The story of the ballet tells of a cowgirl who is in love with the head cowboy.At the local Saturday Rodeo he ignores her, preferring the ranchers daughter.The cowgirl tries to gain his attention by riding a bucking bronco,but he laughs when she falls off.Later in the evening, she arrives, all dressed up, at the Saturday night dance.She is asked to dance by both the head wrangler and the champion roper.The champion roper wins her and the music of the Hoedown reflects the excitement of this dance.

2. Aaron Copland: Aaron Copland was born in New York to jewish parents.After studying music in france for three year, Copland returned to New York with a very clear idea of what he wanted to compose, which was American-style music. He saw Jazz as a means to create a style that was unmistakingly American, Copland used American folk music in his ballets, Billy th Kid, Rodeo and Appalachain spring.He also composed some film music.

3. General Music Features of Hoedown

   • Tonality: D major
   • Time signature: 2/4
   • Tempo: Allegro/Quick
   • Mood: Exciting
   • Form: Intro, A, B, Link, A
     • A-Bonyparte B-Mcleads Reel Link-Connects two sections
   • Texture: Homophonic

4. Introduction: Opening sets a scene far excitement (ff). The first four bars sounds as if the orchestra is warming up. At bars 5-13 strings and trumpets take over the music then it returns to tutti at bars 14-17 with the music from bars 1-4. At bars 18-38 we have an accented rhythm played by piano,strings, bassoons, and wood block(meant to symbolize horses).This is played staccato (hopped).

5. A:Bonyparte (bars 39-98): The main tune (Bonyparte) is introduced.This is a square dance.Tune is played on strings and woodwind.There is added precussion from the xylophone and cymbal and woodwind.Bar 39 has a similar rhythm to the opening bars.Bonyparte is divided into two sections (1-bars 39-46) (2-bars 47-50).These are reapeted with variations in pitch and instruments.Part 2 has a smoother rhythm (legato).Music has a crescendo reaching "fff" in bar 94 then reduces to "p" in bar 97.

6. B:Mcleads Reel (bars 98-141): McLeads reel is in two parts. it starts with trumpets and then strings.We hear an off beat rhythm on the snare drum.This music is now in G major.The second part is played by the oboe then on Clarinet and solo Violin.These parts are repeated with variations in instruments and pitch.The section builds up and becomes more exciting.A syncopated idea by trumpets and woodwind is heard and the music reaches "fff" and is played "sf".

7. Link (Bars 142-158): The rhythm from the steady section of the introduction is heard again.(played rubato-is a slight change in the regular beat introducted by the performer for the purpose of expression).This leads to a desending melody by trombones and horns.This melody slows down and gets softer gradually until it ends on a long quiet pause.(Rit Molto-Slow down a lot)

8. A:(bars 159-194): Section A Bonyparte is heard again.The end of the piece builds up with excitement becoming very loud "fff" and ends with three final quavers played "sf".This adds a dramatic ending to the piece.