Hoe Down from "Rodeo" (Moss)

Aaron Copland

General Info

Year: 1946 /2007
Duration: c. 3:15
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Boosey & Hawkes
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $65.00 | Score Only (print) - $7.50

Instrumentation

Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe
Bassoon
Clarinet I-II-III
Alto Clarinet
Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
Trumpet I-II-III
Horn I-II
Trombone I-II
Euphonium
Tuba (String Bass)
Timpani
Percussion, including:

Bass Drum
Snare Drum
Suspended Cymbal
Xylophone

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

Heard everywhere from concert halls to television commercials, Hoe Down is a classic American symphonic work and its unique sound has become a trademark of composer Aaron Copland. This edition has been carefully adapted, allowing intermediate-level bands to experience the joy of performing one of the most popular works of the 20th century.

- Program Note from publisher

The Hoe-Down opens by vamping the first bar of William H. Stepp's interpretation of the folk tune Bonaparte's Retreat, which will become a major theme of the section. After a reprisal of the Rodeo theme, the theme proper begins in the strings, as the horns play a simple counterpoint. Instead of building to a climax, this section segues into Miss McLeod's Reel, performed by various solo instruments. Copland briefly introduces the Irish theme Gilderoy in the clarinet and oboe.

Building toward the end, Copland reintroduces Bonaparte's Retreat in canon, before returning to the Rodeo theme, which slows into the climactic kiss between the Cowgirl and the Roper. Bonaparte's Retreat is then resumed by the full orchestra, which ends the piece with a grand fanfare.

- Program Note from Wikipedia

Hoe Down from Rodeo is a dance within a dance. Here, Copland quite literally quotes dance tunes from the 19th century Anglo-American square dance tradition. After a rhythmic introduction that invokes the open-fifth tuning of fiddles, Bonaparte’s Retreat, McLeod’s Reel, and other tunes follow in close succession -- always in a strict tempo and regular meter. The Hoe Down exists in many versions, one made famous by a television commercial for beef.

- Program note by San Luis Obispo Wind Orchestra concert program, 12 May 2012

Media

Reference Recording, Ensemble Unknown

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Wheaton (Ill.) North High School Symphonic Band (Kent Krause, conductor) - 3 November 2016
Keene (N.H.) State College Concert Band (Glen D’Eon, conductor) - 10 April 2014
Ely Senior High Band (Ely, Minnesota) (Nolan Hauta, conductor) - October and November 2012

Works for Winds by This Composer

Appalachian Spring (arr. Morita) (1944)
Appalachian Spring (arr. Patterson) (1944)
Buckaroo Holiday from "Rodeo" (tr. Megan) (1941/2000)
Buckaroo Holiday from "Rodeo" (tr. Sudduth) (1941)
Canticle of Freedom (arr. Duffy) (2000)
Celebration (arr. Lang) (1938/1945)
Ceremonial Fanfare
A Copland Portrait (arr. Grundman) (1986)
A Copland Tribute (arr. Grundman) (1986)
Danzón Cubano (tr. Rogers) (1949/2000)
The Dodger (arr. Knox) (c. 1880/1950/)
The Dodger. See also: Old American Songs I
Down a Country Lane (tr. Patterson) (1962/1991)
El Salón México (tr. Hindsley) (1939/1972)
Emblems (1964)
Excerpts from "Appalachian Spring" (arr. Longfield) (1944)
Fanfare for the Common Man (1942/1944)
Fanfare for the Common Man (arr. Longfield) (1942/1944/2007)
Finale from "Symphony No. 3" (trans. Patterson) (1946/)
Four Dance Episodes from "Rodeo" (arr. Patterson) (1942/)
Grover's Corners (arr. Longfield) (1940/2023)
Hoe Down from "Rodeo" (arr. Moss)
Hoe Down from "Rodeo" (tr. Rogers)
Inaugural Fanfare
Laurie's Song (tr. Martin) (1954/ )
Laurie's Song (arr. Silbert and Buchanan) (1954/ )
Letter from Home (arr. Belski) (1944)
Lincoln Portrait (tr. Beeler) (1942/1951)
Old American Songs (arr. Moss) (1950/2006)
Old American Songs I (arr. Silvester) (1950/2001)
Old American Songs II (arr. Duffy) (1952/2001)
Our Town (arr. Singleton)
An Outdoor Overture (1938/1948)
Preamble for a Solemn Occasion (1949/1974)
The Promise of Living (arr. Curnow) (1954/2012)
The Promise of Living (tr. Duffy) (1954/2000)
The Promise of Living (tr. Hile) (1954)
The Promise of Living (tr. Singleton) (1954/2002)
Quiet City (arr. Hunsberger) (1941/1992)
The Red Pony (1969)
Scenes from "Billy the Kid" (arr. Hilliard) (1941/2000)
Stomp Your Foot (tr. Duffy) (1954/1956/2000)
Symphony No. 3. See: Finale from "Symphony No. 3"
Themes from "An Outdoor Overture" (arr. Curnow) (1938/2014)
Three Excerpts from "Our Town" and "Simple Gifts" (arr. Cohen)
Three Latin American Sketches (arr. Mikkelson) (1972/2021)
Variations on a Shaker Melody (1960)
Waltz and Celebration (arr. Lang) (1944/1972)

Resources

Copland, A.; Moss, J. (2007). Hoe Down from Rodeo [score]. Boosey & Hawkes: [New York].
Rode, Wikipedia. Accessed 18 January 2020