Hoedown Part III
In which we track the latest findings in Avi's obsession with "Hoedown" from Copland's Rodeo.
Part I, Part II
It seems to be common knowledge on the web that the main theme in Hoedown was taken from the old fiddle tune, Bonaparte's Retreat. As I previously wrote, no one seems to be able to produce a chart for Bonaparte's Retreat that remotely resembles Hoedown. Here's a common chart-
Given claims that Copland lifted the tune "note for note", I just don't see that heritage. So I'm still looking for the tune that the old Kentucky fiddler played in 1937 that he (and only he) called "Bonaparte's Retreat".
Far less widely reported is that one of the other themes comes from "Miss Mcleod's Reel". What's exciting about this discovery is that existing charts for Miss Mcleod's do resemble their quotes in Hoedown.
I look at that & I can hear the trumpet & the snare drum!
Hoedown's Ongoing Evolution
Emerson Lake & Palmer gave Hoedown the synthesizer treatment in 1972 on the album, Trilogy. (I had previously thought it was much later, like late 70's or early 80's). Listening to ELP side by side with Copland, I realize that they added a theme of their own. It's a very sterotypical hoedown-y kinda question & answer. I remember it was one of my favorite parts to play in the version I had in marching band, so now I know that the mallet arrangement I was given came thru ELP.
Yow! Bela Fleck and the Flecktones have a version, on the disc "Outbound", released in 2000. They use ELP's addition as well. Makes you wanna get up dance - not contra dance, but some kind of funky white guy around the living room dance... And while the rhythm & instrumentation aren't particularly useful for how I'd like to recreate hoedown, there were some nice reharmonization ideas in there that I'd borrow.
lastly, some actual folk musicians offer homage -Jay Ungar & Molly Mason include a version on the 1999 disc, "Harvest Home." This is the most intriguing treatment to me, because it suggests how the themes could be used in an actual contra dance. The piece splits its time between being a fiddle/guitar duo, and an orchestra.
(Coming in part IV of this series - thoughts on creating a version of Hoedown for Apple Crisp to play at an actual contra dance.)
And last, some ultra trivia - Kermit Love, the original costume designer for the Ballet, Rodeo is still alive, and lives in New York. He also worked with Muppeteer, Jim Henson and was responsible for designing Snuffy and helping with Big Bird. (no, Kermit the Frog was not named after him, he joined Henson after KtF was created)
Part I, Part II
It seems to be common knowledge on the web that the main theme in Hoedown was taken from the old fiddle tune, Bonaparte's Retreat. As I previously wrote, no one seems to be able to produce a chart for Bonaparte's Retreat that remotely resembles Hoedown. Here's a common chart-
Given claims that Copland lifted the tune "note for note", I just don't see that heritage. So I'm still looking for the tune that the old Kentucky fiddler played in 1937 that he (and only he) called "Bonaparte's Retreat".
Far less widely reported is that one of the other themes comes from "Miss Mcleod's Reel". What's exciting about this discovery is that existing charts for Miss Mcleod's do resemble their quotes in Hoedown.
I look at that & I can hear the trumpet & the snare drum!
Hoedown's Ongoing Evolution
Emerson Lake & Palmer gave Hoedown the synthesizer treatment in 1972 on the album, Trilogy. (I had previously thought it was much later, like late 70's or early 80's). Listening to ELP side by side with Copland, I realize that they added a theme of their own. It's a very sterotypical hoedown-y kinda question & answer. I remember it was one of my favorite parts to play in the version I had in marching band, so now I know that the mallet arrangement I was given came thru ELP.
Yow! Bela Fleck and the Flecktones have a version, on the disc "Outbound", released in 2000. They use ELP's addition as well. Makes you wanna get up dance - not contra dance, but some kind of funky white guy around the living room dance... And while the rhythm & instrumentation aren't particularly useful for how I'd like to recreate hoedown, there were some nice reharmonization ideas in there that I'd borrow.
lastly, some actual folk musicians offer homage -Jay Ungar & Molly Mason include a version on the 1999 disc, "Harvest Home." This is the most intriguing treatment to me, because it suggests how the themes could be used in an actual contra dance. The piece splits its time between being a fiddle/guitar duo, and an orchestra.
(Coming in part IV of this series - thoughts on creating a version of Hoedown for Apple Crisp to play at an actual contra dance.)
And last, some ultra trivia - Kermit Love, the original costume designer for the Ballet, Rodeo is still alive, and lives in New York. He also worked with Muppeteer, Jim Henson and was responsible for designing Snuffy and helping with Big Bird. (no, Kermit the Frog was not named after him, he joined Henson after KtF was created)
2 Comments:
ARGH!
I hate to admit it, but this is still keeping me awake at night.
I do think I hear Hoedown in the Bonaparte's Retreat chart, a... little.... rrrrrrrgh.... so frustrating. It's close, tho! I really do believe it's close.
I'm sure Copland did lift it note for note, tho. After all, when did a chart represent the full extent of what was played?
By Minim Dancer, at 3:27 PM
I think it's wishful thinking (listening) to try to find Hoedown in that version of BR. The mind is good at picking out patterns... even if they're not there. Copland *did* lift it note for note from William Stepp, and you can easily hear that in Stepp's recording.
listen for yourself.
the chart above is no way a transcription of William Stepp
By Avi, at 3:36 PM
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