The first of a two-part examination of recent editions of Copland's music, how they came to be, and why they matter.
Read more- Title
- Billy The Kid
- Subtitle
- Ballet in One Act
- For
- orchestra
- Year Composed
- 1938
- Scoring
- 2(II=picc).2.2.2-4.3.3.1-timp.perc(5):glsp/xyl/cyms/sleigh bells/tgl/guiro/wdbl/whip/BD/SD/tin whistle-harp-pft-strings
- ARCO Number(s)
- 33
- Category
- Ballet
- Duration
- 35'
- Sections
- 1. The Open Prairie
- Version: The Open Prairie in Billy The Kid (suite) (1939) for orchestra
- Version: The Open Prairie in Billy the Kid (arr. two pianos) (1938) for two pianos
- Version: The Open Prairie in Billy the Kid (for solo piano) (1944) for piano
- 2. Street in a Frontier Town
- Version: Street in a Frontier Town in Billy The Kid (suite) (1939) for orchestra
- Version: Street in a Frontier Town in Billy the Kid (arr. two pianos) (1938) for two pianos
- Version: Street Scene in a Frontier Town in Billy the Kid (for solo piano) (1944) for piano
- 3. Card Game at Night Alternate Title: Prairie Night (Alternate/Synonymous)
- Version: Card Game at Night in Billy The Kid (suite) (1939) for orchestra
- Version: Prairie Night in Prairie Night and Celebration (1946) for small orchestra
- 4. Gun Battle
- Version: Gun Battle in Billy The Kid (suite) (1939) for orchestra
- 5. Celebration After Billy's Capture
- Version: Celebration in Waltz and Celebration (arr. violin and piano) (1950) for violin and piano
- Version: Celebration in Waltz and Celebration (arr. cello and piano) (1952) for cello and piano
- Version: Celebration in Waltz and Celebration (for concert band) (1972) for concert band
- Version: Celebration After Billy's Capture in Billy The Kid (suite) (1939) for orchestra
- Version: Celebration After Billy's Capture in Billy the Kid (arr. two pianos) (1938) for two pianos
- Version: Celebration after Billy's Capture in Billy the Kid (for solo piano) (1944) for piano
- Version: Celebration Dance in Prairie Night and Celebration (1946) for small orchestra
- 6. Waltz
- Arrangement: Billy and His Sweetheart in Billy the Kid (arr. two pianos) (1938) for two pianos
- Version: Billy and his Sweetheart in Billy the Kid (for solo piano) (1944) for piano
- Version: Waltz in Waltz and Celebration (arr. violin and piano) (1950) for violin and piano
- Version: Waltz in Waltz and Celebration (arr. cello and piano) (1952) for cello and piano
- Version: Waltz in Waltz and Celebration (for concert band) (1972) for concert band
- Arrangement: Waltz (from Billy the Kid) (1956) for small orchestra
- 7. Billy's Demise
- Version: Billy's Demise in Billy The Kid (suite) (1939) for orchestra
- Version: Billy's Demise in Billy the Kid (arr. two pianos) (1938) for two pianos
- 8. The Open Prairie Epilogue
- Version: The Open Prairie (epilogue) in Billy The Kid (suite) (1939) for orchestra
- Version: The Open Prairie Again in Billy the Kid (arr. two pianos) (1938) for two pianos
- 1. The Open Prairie
- Premieres
- 1. World: Chicago, Civic Opera House, October 16th, 1938 (with two pianos)
- 2. New York: New York, May 24th, 1939 (cond. Fritz Kitzinger)
- Commission Info
- Lincoln Kirstein and Ballet Caravan
- Related Persons
- Eugene Loring (choreographer)
- Publisher
- Boosey & Hawkes
- Publishing Status
- Published
- Versions
- Billy The Kid (suite) (1939) (Suite)
- Arrangements
- Billy the Kid (for solo piano) (arr. Lukas Foss)
- In Collections
- The Copland Violin Collection: 13 Pieces for Violin & Piano (for violin and piano)
- Copland for Alto Saxophone (for alto saxophone)
- Copland for Bass (for double bass)
- Copland for Bassoon/Trombone/Baritone B.C. (for bassoon, trombone, or baritone B.C.)
- Copland for Cello (for cello)
- Copland for Horn (for horn)
- Copland for Oboe (for oboe)
- Copland for Trumpet, Tenor Sax, Baritone T.C. (for trumpet, tenor saxophone, or baritone T.C.)
- Copland for Tuba (for tuba)
- Copland for Viola (for viola)
Buying Options
Boosey & HawkesAlso Related
Lincoln Kirstein and Eugene Loring of Ballet Caravan asked Copland to compose music for a cowboy ballet."Lincoln tempted me with several books of western tunes, and Loring wrote a scenario about the notorious bandit of the Southwest, Billy the Kid. I became intrigued with using tunes such as Git Along Little Dogies, The Old Chisholm Trail, and Goodbye Old Paint." The ballet is still performed regularly, and the orchestral suite of six connecting movements is one of Copland's most popular works.
Prairie Night and Celebration Dance: Two movements from Billy the Kid were reduced for small orchestra by the composer.
Waltz: The dance of the outlaw and his sweetheart is often performed as a single movement in the version Copland arranged for small orchestra.
- Author
- Vivian Perlis
- Year
- 1998
A new edition of this work, edited by Philip Rothman, is now available from Boosey and Hawkes.