Appalachian was one of Copland's most famous pieces about the Appalachian Mountains in America
This piece is done in chunks.
The setting of the scene:
We are in beautiful Appalachia/Alps/Highlands/ Himalaya years ago before roads and electricity was invented.
Imagine the music playing as sun rises… Imagine the flowers, the animals, old ranch houses
Life is Simple as the music.
Door opens:
Excitement! It’s a new day! The village is awakening... Off to work we go. Off to the farm, are joining. Barley, lambing, milk the cows. Off we go.
Second section: The woman are getting the kids ready for school… Kids, don’t want to… but the mother is a calming influence (flute) and things calm down...
NEW SCENE: Introduced to the priest. The priest is walking the neighbourhood, the first person responds saying all is good, we hear it twice but the third person says (sad music) things are not good... Somebody in the family is dying and opening up to the priest. Priest responds with comforting words.
New day:
Its the weekend... Everybody is getting prepared for the village weekly dance. We hear a number of dances. The line dance, group dance, partner dance that’s faster. As the sections change hear the different dances. What are the dance moves? How many are there?
Love scene:
A young couple that danced together have fallen in love. A night of passion ensues and then calms as they lay together in peace and love.
Next day:
The couple get up and are smitten, running outside hand in hand through the fields. They go through a busy village market. Its exciting! What else are they doing!?
Slow section: They day is ending. We are in love, taking the girl home and the sun is setting... We can create a life here and isn’t this beautiful. You are recapping the special day you have had together in your mind as you go home.
Words to the music:
'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
'Tis the gift to come down where I ought to be;
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed;
to turn, turn, will be my delight.
Till by turning, turning we come round right. x6
Prayer before bed then finally off to sleep.
Amen
Last section:
All is well and at peace at the end of the day as we drift off to sleep.
Life is good. Life is Simple. It’s a Gift to be Simple!
I would like you to listen to the music and imagine going through the different scenes and the layout of the village...?
AND
What are you grateful for? Name 3 things you are grateful for?
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