An Introduction to America’s Music

CHAPTER 15 | FILM MUSIC 369

date: 1948

performers: New Philharmonia Orchestra;

Aaron Copland, conductor

genre: fi lm music

meter: changing

form: binary (AB) with coda

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

• broad, grandiose fanfares in slower A


• gentler, folklike music in faster B


• colorful orchestration


• pandiatonic harmony and gradual
  crescendo near end of B section

timing section screen action comments

0:00 A Opening credits Compound duple meter and slow tempo. After a short

buildup, strings, trumpets, and woodwinds play fanfare

with lowered seventh scale degree.

0:23 Nature at dawn Soft, sustained tones.

0:51 Overlapping statements of falling pentatonic scale that

began the title theme, in clarinet, then violins; gradual

crescendo.

1:09 The rising scale of the opening buildup returns.

1:17 Opening credits The fanfare returns, louder than before.

1:38 B Morning chores Low-register fl utes play, then repeat, the opening phrase of

folklike tune (a).

1:51 Contrasting phrase (b) in oboe.

2:01 Return of a in fl utes and strings, with a new concluding

phrase (c).

2:20 A second folk theme (d) makes a fragmentary appearance

in the oboe.

2:30 Transition back to a with clarinets in thirds.

2:46 Return of a, suddenly quiet and now in violins over active

accompaniment. Oboe answers with b.

3:07 The foal’s birth Theme a in high, muted violins, harp, glockenspiel, and

celesta, creating a soft, shimmering, pandiatonic sonority.

3:13 Gradual buildup with added instruments: woodwinds

and lower strings, then French horns and muted

trumpets.

3:25 Brittle piano joins in for b over a pulsating

accompaniment.

Listening Guide 15.2

“Morning on the Ranch,” from The Red Pony Suite

CD 3.3 AARON COPLAND

(continued)

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