Genre: Classical
Places I remember: Part of Lindsay Hope's collection donated to the Wozza estate
Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Hoe Down
Gear costume: Appalachian Spring
Active compensatory factors: Everything I know about Aaron Copland's music comes from following the ups and downs of Emerson Lake and Palmer. There's the great video of them doing Fanfare For The Common Man in the snow, and of course, Hoe Down from Trilogy.
So, it's not my usual cup of tea, obviously, but the western themes of Billy The Kid are familiar enough from watching Westerns since I was Wozza The Kid in the sixties.
As it goes on through it's 21 minute programme, Billy The Kid becomes more and more epic AND nuanced. Bombast and lyrical in turns, its a great piece of Americana.
Appalachian Spring is lovely - very pastoral throughout its 35 minutes, with American vistas of wheat fields, wide open spaces, big skies, starry nights, all with a lightness of heart. It's a beautiful piece of music.
For me, though, the short pieces that make up Rodeo (accent on the second vowel) are the most accessible and Hoe Down is the most recognisable thanks to ELP.
I wouldn't have found this music without Lindsay's generosity so kudos again to him!
Where do they all belong? Peter and the Wolf is coming this way soonish.
