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
- Rodeo
- Subtitle
- Ballet in one act
- For
- orchestra
- Year Composed
- 1942
- Scoring
- 3(II,III=picc).2.corA.2.bcl.2-4.3.3.1-timp.perc:glsp/xyl/cyms/tgl/ wdbl/whip/BD/SD-harp-pft(=cel)-strings
- ARCO Number(s)
- 47
- Categories
- Ballet Orchestral
- Duration
- 24'
- Sections
- 1. Buckaroo Holiday
- Version: Buckaroo Holiday in Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo (1942) for orchestra
- Version: First Episode: Buckaroo Holiday in Rodeo (arr. solo piano) (1942) for piano
- – [brief transition]
- Version: Transition in Rodeo (arr. solo piano) (1942) for piano
- 2. Corral Nocturne
- Version: Corral Nocturne in Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo (1942) for orchestra
- Version: Second Episode: Corral Nocturne in Rodeo (arr. solo piano) (1942) for piano
- 3. Ranch House Party
- Version: Ranch House Party in Rodeo (arr. solo piano) (1942) for piano
- 4. Saturday Night Waltz
- Version: Saturday Night Waltz in Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo (1942) for orchestra
- Version: Saturday Night Waltz in Hoe Down and Saturday Night Waltz (1950) for two pianos
- Version: Saturday Night Waltz (for piano four-hands) (1991) for piano four-hands
- Version: Third Episode: Saturday Night Waltz in Rodeo (arr. solo piano) (1942) for piano
- 5. Hoe-Down
- Version: Fourth Episode: Hoe-Down in Rodeo (arr. solo piano) (1942) for piano
- Version: Hoe-Down in Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo (1942) for orchestra
- Version: Hoe-Down in Hoe Down and Saturday Night Waltz (1950) for two pianos
- Arrangement: Hoe-Down (arr. string orchestra) (1946) for string orchestra
- Arrangement: Hoe-Down (arr. violin and piano) (1945) for violin and piano
- Version: Hoe-Down (for piano four-hands) (1991) for piano four-hands
- 1. Buckaroo Holiday
- Premiere
- World: New York, October 16th, 1942 (Franz Allers, cond.)
- Commission Info
- The Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo
- Related Persons
- Agnes de Mille (choreographer)
- Publisher
- Boosey & Hawkes
- Publishing Status
- Published
- Versions
- Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo (1942) (Suite)
- Rodeo (arr. solo piano) (1942) (Arrangement)
- Arrangements
- Rodeo (for reduced orchestra) (arr. Jonathan McPhee)
Program Note
Agnes de Mille suggested a cowboy ballet to the reluctant Ballet Russe. She said, "I dug in my heels and said I wanted the best American composer for the music, Aaron Copland." Rodeo was an enormous success from the start. De Mille said, "I gave the performance of my life and got twenty-two curtain calls." Copland particularly enjoyed conducting the ballet and the orchestral suite he drew from it, the Four Dance Episodes. Rodeo incorporates several American folk songs and dance tunes.
- Author
- Vivian Perlis
- Year
- 1998