Arizona State University

MUS 355

In 1948 Copland wrote a score for Lewis Milestone's 1949 film The Red Pony based on a novella by John Steinbeck. In the same year Copland also arranged the score as an orchestral suite version for the Houston Symphony Orchestra. In 1966 he arranged selections from the suite for wind band. The orchestral suite lasts approximately 20 minutes and contains six separate movements: "Morning on the Ranch," "The Gift," "Dream March and Circus March," "Walk to the Bunkhouse," "Grandfather's Story," and "Happy Ending." These movements capture many musical characteristics of Copland's writing. "Morning on the Ranch," the film's opening music, presents "open" sounding harmonies and folk-like melodies. Listen for the violin solo and the perky melody which is accompanied by a bubbly bass line evocative of a folk music. "The Gift" is based on the film scene in which the 10-year-old protagonist receives his pet pony. This very slow movement also begins with open harmonies, later featuring an expressive flute solo accompanied by the strings and winds. "Dream Music and Circus March" combines the two daydream sequences from the film in which the 10-year-old protagonist imagines being a knight in shining armor and when he envisions himself as a circus ringmaster. Listen for the illustrative sounds and pay attention to the moment when the King Arthur story ends and the lively circus begins! "Walk to the Bunk House" features a peppy melody and accompaniment suggesting a simple rural lifestyle. Listen to the alternation betw