I’m not sure that this will win any new friends to Copland’s music – the definition on the 49-year-old video tape is pretty poor – but it should still be of interest to anyone familiar with the oft-performed concert suite. Here’s the first 12 minutes of the ballet “Rodeo,” with the original Agnes DeMille choreography. DeMille herself is interviewed at the end of the segment. The ballet’s premiere in 1942 was attended by Rodgers and Hammerstein, who invited DeMille to provide the choreography for “Oklahoma!” Supposedly “Rodeo” was the first ballet to employ tap dance. I have to say, it’s great storytelling. The action fits the music like a leather work glove.
Unfortunately, the excerpt above does not contain the work’s most famous music, so here’s Copland himself to conduct the “Hoe-Down.” I guess it’s beef for dinner.
BONUS: Martha Graham and company perform “Appalachian Spring,” complete, in pristine footage!