The story tells of a 19th century American pioneer`s spring holiday following the construction of a new farmhouse in Pennsylvania. Among the central characters are the bride, the groom, the...Read more

The story tells of a 19th century American pioneer`s spring holiday following the construction of a new farmhouse in Pennsylvania. Among the central characters are the bride, the groom, the pioneer, the preacher and his parishioners.

In 1942, dancer and choreographer Martha Graham and influential art patron Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge commissioned Copland to write a ballet with an `American theme`. Copland did most of the work in 1943–1944, and the work premiered on 10/30/1944 at the Library of Congress, with Graham dancing in the title role.
In 1945, the conductor Arthur Rodzinsky commissioned Copland to transform the ballet into an orchestral suite, retaining much of the music.
Copland removed about 10 minutes from the ballet score to make a suite for 13 instruments.

The orchestral suite is divided into eight parts. Copland describes each scene this way:

1. Very slowly. Representing the characters one by one in a blurry light.
2. Fast/Allegro. A sudden burst of unison strings in an A major arpeggio kicks off the action. The feeling is both upbeat and religious provides a key to this scene.
3. Moderate. The duet of the bride and her chosen one is a scene of tenderness and passion.
4.Quite fast. The revivalist and his flock. Folk feeling - hints of square dance and rustic violins.
5. Still faster/Subito Allegro. The solo dance of the bride is a premonition of motherhood. Extremes of joy, fear and surprise.
6. Very slowly (as at first). Transition scene to music reminiscent of the intro.
7. Calm and flowing/Doppio Movimento. Scenes from the everyday life of a bride and her farmer husband.
8. Moderate. Coda. The bride takes her place among the neighbors. At the end, the couple remain `quiet and strong in their new home`.

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