Billy the Kid Suite

Composed byAaron CoplandFor the ballet,Billy the kid

Composition: Billy the Kid Suite

Composer: Aaron Copland

Dates: 1900-1990

Country: America

Form: suite

I. Composer Information

A. Aaron Copland grew up in Brooklyn, NY.

B. Early Life

1. He wrote his first composition at the age of 8.

2. At age 15, he decided to become a composer.

3. At age 21, he went to France to study composition

1500 1600

Renaissance Baroque

Musical Era Timeline

1700 1800

Classical Romantic

1900Contemporary

B. Historical Background

1. Copland was a composer of the Contemporary Era in music.

II. Composition Information

A. Aaron Copland wrote this music for a ballet in 5 weeks.He used cowboy or folk songsas the basis for the music.

Definition: ballet--a story told through dance.

1. This composition is in the form of a suite--a collection of pieces from a larger work.

B. Story and Themes

1. Billy the Kid's real name was William Bonney. He was born in Brooklyn, NY about the time of the Civil War (1860's)

When he was 12 years old, he moved with his mother to New Mexico.

2. Billy comes into town with his mother. There are people walking around town, rowdy cowboys, dancing senoritas.

a. Great Grand-dad

Meter: 2 Instruments: piccolo solo

b. Dogie Song--Meter: 2. Instruments: introduced by trumpet and oboe

c. Old Chisholm Trail--Meter: 4. Instruments: introduced by strings

d. Jarabe--Meter: 5. Instruments: trumpet

e. Goodbye Old Paint--Meter: 3. Instruments: introduced by strings.

3. A fight breaks out, and a stray bullet kills Billy's mother. Billy then snatches a knife from one of the men and stabs his mother's killer. Because he is now a murderer, Billy becomes wanted by the law and joins the ranks of Wild West outlaws.