“Appalachian Spring” and American Music

1. “Appalachian Spring” and American Music Lesson Two Lauren Reynolds

2. American Music in 20th Century • New York became the main center for music. • American composers influenced others around the world. • Composers experimented and played with sounds and rhythms. • Began using unusual instruments. • Audio tapes • Computers • Other noisemakers

3. Other Famous Composers • Other influential composers of this time: • Benjamin Britten – (1913-1976) - American • John Cage – (1912-1992) - American • Arnold Shoenberg – (1874-1951) - Austrian • Edgard Varese – (1883-1965) – French

4. “Appalachian Spring” • Written in 1942. • Ballet written for Martha Graham. • Well-known dancer of the time. • Originally titled “Ballet for Martha”. • She mentioned the title “Appalachian Spring” as it felt more “American”. • Based off a poem by Hart Crane

5. Elements Heard • Melody: based off a Shaker song which is titled “Simple Gifts”. • Variations of the melody are heard throughout as well. • Rhythm: influenced by jazz

6. Elements Heard • Timbre: (tone color) scored for thirteen instruments. • Woodwinds: flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons • Brass: trumpets, horns, trombones • Percussion: xylophone, timpani, snare drum, bass drum, triangle, harp, piano, etc. • First performance was in 1944 at Coolidge Auditorium at the Library of Congress.

7. Bibliography • http://musiced.about.com/od/medievalto20thcentury/a/Music-Instruments-And-Innovations.htm. • http://www.npr.org/programs/specials/milestones/991027.motm.apspring.html • http://www.lasr.cs.ucla.edu/geoff/prognotes/copland/appalachianSpring.html • http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tj0ewCghV3A/TcnYSB-DNHI/AAAAAAAAAGk/CAKew7xxgug/s1600/BM_04_Martha_Graham_Letter_to_the_World_1940.jpg • http://img1.imagesbn.com/p/828766584028_p0_v1_s260x420.jpg