Composer

:

Robert Ward

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Compose Date

:

1988

Average_duration

:

11:40

Appalachian Ditties and Dances is a composition by Robert Ward, an American composer who was born in 1917 and died in 2013. The piece was composed in 1955 and premiered on March 22, 1956, by the Eastman-Rochester Orchestra under the direction of Howard Hanson. The composition consists of five movements, each of which is based on a traditional Appalachian folk tune. The first movement, "Sourwood Mountain," is a lively dance tune that features a prominent fiddle melody. The second movement, "Black is the Color," is a slow and mournful ballad that showcases the expressive capabilities of the orchestra. The third movement, "Cindy," is a playful and upbeat tune that features a call-and-response between the orchestra and a solo clarinet. The fourth movement, "Barbara Allen," is a hauntingly beautiful ballad that features a solo violin and a lush string accompaniment. The final movement, "Bonaparte's Retreat," is a lively dance tune that features a driving rhythm and a prominent fiddle melody. One of the characteristics of Appalachian Ditties and Dances is its use of traditional Appalachian folk tunes as source material. Ward was inspired by the rich musical heritage of the Appalachian region and sought to capture the spirit of these traditional tunes in his composition. Another characteristic of the piece is its use of orchestration to bring out the unique qualities of each folk tune. Ward was a skilled orchestrator and used the full range of the orchestra to create a rich and varied sound palette. Overall, Appalachian Ditties and Dances is a lively and engaging composition that showcases the beauty and vitality of traditional Appalachian folk music. Its use of orchestration and traditional folk tunes make it a unique and memorable work in the American classical music canon.

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