HOEDOWN (score & parts)

A hoedown is a type of American folk dance in two-time, most often associated with rural/southeastern USA, particularly Appalachia. In classical music the most famous hoedown is the Hoe-Down segment from Aaron Copland’s 1942 ballet Rodeo. Copland later incorporated the Hoe-Down into a symphonic suite entitled Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo.

The original ballet was choreographed by Agnes de Mille for the Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo. She was given considerable creative control, choosing Aaron Copland as the composer after being impressed by his previous ballet, Billy the Kid. Copland was initially reluctant to compose “another Cowboy ballet” but De Mille persuaded him that this show would mark a significant departure from his previous work.

Although many of Copland’s works incorporate traditional American folk melodies, Rodeo is unique in that Copland leaves them little altered in his score. This is likely attributable, in part, to De Mille’s control over the work. The well-known opening theme of Hoe-Down is based on the American folk song Bonyparte (or Bonaparte’s Retreat). It also features Miss McLeod’s Reel and the Irish theme Gilderoy.

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