Aaron Copland (1900-1990): American composer.

Billy the Kid (1938) music written for a ballet about the famous outlaw.

How does Copland create a 'new American' sound? How does the WILD WEST sound? How do his ideas change the way the 'new world' might think about ballet?

Listen to the morning sunrise over the vast prairie:

What makes it sound big? Outdoorsy? Country? Lonely? Cowboyish?

Listen to the Mexican Dance & Finale:

Which of your 'Songs for Cowboys' can you hear in this extract? How does Copland make it sound epic? How does the end of the extract sound ominous?

Here is a Gun Battle:

Can you hear the two characters? (snare drum pistol v. bass drum shot gun). Who wins? This is being played by the New York Youth Orchestra.

Copland wrote a second ballet set in the wild west 'Rodeo' in 1942.

Compare this choreography:

With this filmed at the Paris Opera in about 1940 (note the sound quality of early film!):