Aaron Copland wrote the ballet Rodeo in 1942. Hoedown is one of four movements from the suite Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo and taken from the original ballet score.
The Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo hired Aaron Copland to write the musical score to the 1942 ballet Rodeo. In 1943, the score for Rodeo was extracted and arrangementPresentation of an existing composition in a different way, eg changing or developing structure, texture or instrumentation. as an orchestral suite to be performed by the New York Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra.
The suite was given the title Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo and included Buckaroo Holiday, Corral Nocturne, Saturday Night Waltz and Hoedown. Like a symphony A long composition for the orchestra, typically featuring four movements. , the suite has a four-movement structure with an extended opening movement, a slow movement, a third movement in triple time and a lively final movement.
The suite incorporates American folk musicTraditional music from a particular country. songs and traditional Irish music which give the music its Spaghetti Western feel. Hoedown includes a square dance tune called Bonypart, originally written by Ira Ford. Copland also includes altered sections from the folk songs Bonaparte’s Retreat, McLeod’s Reel, and elements of the traditional Irish tune Gilderoy.
