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Jin Hee Youn
Music 1010-011
Instructor: Lyle J. Archibald
August 5, 2014
“Dance of the Youths and Maidens” and “Simple Gifts”
One of the most distinctive and sensational music in early 20th century “The Rite of Spring”
is a ballet score that composed by Russian composer Igor Stravinsky for the productions of
Serge Diaghilev in 1913. This ballet score had its premiere on May 29, 1913, at the Théatre des
Champs-Elysées in Paris. “Dance of the Youths and Maidens” in part 1 of The Rite of Spring is
about celebration of arriving of spring between two tribes.
“Dance of the Youths and Maidens” is representative of primitivism and it has its elements.
Melody is abrupt that changed to non melodic from Russian folk-song which is played in
introduction part and almost absently heard. The music played in basic duple meter with
irregular accents. Harmony is repeated by dissonant chord (polytonal). Rhythm is very dynamic
steady dotted and syncopated. Tempo is quick and dynamic. Texture is polyphony. All the
musical elements and instruments evoke primitive ritual of nature.
Another ballet, the orchestral suite, “Appalachian Spring” is composed in 1945 by Aaron
Copland. According to the text book by Forney and Machlis, he is known for “one of America’s
greatest contemporary composer” (329). The ballet story is about celebration of a newly-built
farmhouse for a young couple in spring in the Pennsylvania hills in the early 19 th century. This
ballet sets in 7 section and ‘Simple Gifts’ is a 7th that is theme and 5 variations.
“Simple Gifts” is the most famous part in “Appalachian Spring.” Through this song, Aaron
Copland expressed American sound. Melody is simple and folk like tune and it seems like
representing about landscape of America. Music plays in duple meter which is lively animated
spring then tempo is slowed. Harmony is soft dissonance and changed in various key, and form
is theme and variation that express the orchestral rich instrumental sound.
“Dance of the Youths and Maidens in The Rite of Spring” and “Simple Gifts in Appalachian
Spring” have similarities. They both are composed for ballet, and their main theme is ritual to
welcome and celebrate about spring of nature with joyful and energetic tune in duple meter
and dissonance. Their melody motives come from folk-song from each other’s country, even
though it is broken down and hardly heard in “Dance of the Youth and Maidens” by Stravinsky.
However, their similarities ideas of celebration of spring and some music elements, their
dynamic rhythm and sound are different with instrumental size and plays. Stravinsky creates
percussive sounds and irregular accent by pizzicato and down-bow strokes of strings in “Dance
of the Youths and Maidens” which gives this music more dynamic and trilled rhythm with
changing colorful instruments in expended orchestra such as brass, woodwind, and percussions.
In contrast, “Simple Gifts” has simple and clear tune like hymn that “associated with the
Shaker religious sect” (Forney and Machlis 330). This simple melody is played in steady rhythm
with changing tone colors, and then this steady rhythm become slower which expresses calm,
and harmony and changing tone colors in theme and variations that expresses wide and
beautiful landscape of country.
“The Rite of Spring” and “Appalachian Spring” are composed by two greatest virtuosos, Igor
Stravinsky and Aaron Copland, in 20th century. Their music style is different in arose of new
movement from the past. Stravinsky seeks new concepts and creates sensational music “The
Rite of Spring”. But his music was not welcomed at that time. According to Thomas Kelly, it
“was scandalous. In addition to the outrageous costumes, unusual choreography and bizarre
story of pagan sacrifice, Stravinsky's musical innovations tested the patience of the audience to
the fullest (Kelly, par.1).” But without a ballet and only listening to his music, it is so fresh and
very impressive and memorable music in the technical instrumental play. However, Copland
seeks nationalism of his country. His music is inspired by where he lives and works. His music
captures the beautiful landscape of America. But his music is little bit drowsy, just like the
midday of the spring because of absence of dynamic rhythm.
Works Cited
Forney, Kristine., and Joseph Machlis. The Enjoyment of Music. 11th ed. New York: W.W.
Norton & Company, 2011.
Kelly, Thomas. "Igor Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring"" NPR : National Public Radio : News &
Analysis, World, US, Music & Arts. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Aug. 2014.