This month, Clef
Notes explores seasonal music and today, it’s springtime! Let’s take a look at
Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring (1943–1944),
a piece that won him a Pulitzer Prize.
Appalachian
Spring was
originally written as a ballet for dancer/choreographer Martha Graham. The
ensemble consisted of only thirteen musicians. It wasn’t until later on that he
arranged the piece into the orchestral suite most people are familiar with
today.
One famous medley
in Appalachian Spring is taken from
the Shaker hymn ‘Tis the Gift to Be
Simple. Copland then varies this theme throughout the work. In an attempt
to evoke images of rural, American life, Copland uses wide sonorities and open
fifths and octaves, a trait commonly used to express American ideas in music.
Here is a
performance of Copland’s Appalachian Spring by the Ulster Orchestra. Also, check out this great arrangement by
John Williams that was performed at the 2008 Presidential Inauguration.
