Symphony Listening Program - Copland
- What
- Symphony Listening Program - Copland
- When
- 10/16/2025
Day 1: This week's feature composer is Aaron Copland. The feature composition is Hoe-Down from Rodeo. Early Thanksgiving began the tradition we continue today with country fairs and fall festivals. In his music for Hoe-Down, Copland wanted to capture the spirit of a bustling community gathering. Since Hoe-Down was composed for a ballet, Copland also had to write music that dancers could bring to life. He knew that the key would be to use the instruments of the orchestra so skillfully we would see the changing scenes of a country fair.
Day 2: This week's feature composer is Aaron Copland. The feature composition is Hoe-Down from Rodeo. When we think of harvest festivals and country fairs, we see people talking happily, animals moving about, and probably some musicians performing. At the beginning of Hoe-Down, Copland uses trumpets and music that sounds like an orchestra tuning up. Then he combines piano and percussion in clip-clop rhythms. Then he shifts to the furious fiddling. Copland's skillful use of the instruments makes the scenes of the ballet Rodeo come to life.
Day 3: This week's feature composer is Aaron Copland. The feature composition is Hoe-Down from Rodeo. Copland begins Hoe-Down with trumpets and with strings sounding like an orchestra tuning up. Then he combines piano and percussion in clip-clop rhythms. Then comes the fast and furious fiddling music. As Copland skillfully shifts the sounds of the instruments, he makes the bustling, changing scenes of a harvest festival come to life.
Day 4: This week's feature composer is Aaron Copland. The feature composition is Hoe-Down from Rodeo. Copland knew he could make us imagine a lively community gathering by skillfully combining the instruments of the orchestra. He begins Hoe-Down with trumpets and with strings sounding like an orchestra tuning up. Then he combines piano and percussion in clip-clop rhythms. Then comes the fast and furious fiddling music. Copland skillfully shifts the sounds of the instruments so the bustling, changing scenes of a harvest festival come to life.
Day 5: This week's feature composition is Hoe-Down from Rodeo. Do you remember who the composer was? (Short pause.) If you are thinking of Aaron Copland you are right. Copland knew he could tap into our ideas about what goes on at a lively. community gathering by skillfully combining the instruments of the orchestra. Perhaps you have made up your mind about what you see when you hear Copland's ballet music for Hoe-Down.