Composer

:

Aaron Copland

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1950

Average_duration

:

2:12

Aaron Copland's "The Dodger" is a ballet suite composed in 1937. It premiered on May 6, 1937, at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, with choreography by George Balanchine and sets and costumes by Boris Aronson. The suite consists of four movements: "Introduction and Allegro," "Canonic Variations," "Pas de Deux," and "Finale." The first movement, "Introduction and Allegro," begins with a slow, mysterious introduction featuring the woodwinds and strings. The tempo then picks up with a lively allegro section, featuring syncopated rhythms and brass fanfares. The movement ends with a return to the slower, mysterious theme. The second movement, "Canonic Variations," is a set of variations on a theme played in canon by the woodwinds. The variations feature different sections of the orchestra, including a solo for the trumpet and a section for the percussion. The third movement, "Pas de Deux," is a duet for the two principal dancers. The music is slow and lyrical, with a prominent solo for the violin. The movement builds to a climax before ending with a quiet coda. The final movement, "Finale," is a fast and energetic dance featuring the full orchestra. The movement is characterized by driving rhythms and syncopated accents, with a prominent role for the percussion section. The movement builds to a frenzied climax before ending with a triumphant coda. Overall, "The Dodger" is a lively and energetic work, with a mix of slow, lyrical sections and fast, rhythmic dances. The music is characterized by Copland's signature use of folk melodies and rhythms, as well as his skillful orchestration and use of percussion. The ballet suite is a testament to Copland's ability to create music that is both accessible and sophisticated, and it remains a popular work in the ballet repertoire.

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