Henry David Thoreau famously wrote in his journal that he was born “into the most estimable place in all the world and in the very nick of time, too” (December 5, 1856). He was born on July 12, 1817 in Concord, MA. His comment about the timing of his birth is presumably a reference to being born before the beauty of nature was sullied by the inevitable growth of American industry. Indeed, his masterpiece Walden chronicles Thoreau’s retreat to a simpler life in a cabin on the shores of Walden Pond, away from the schedules and financial necessities of society. Simplicity, said Thoreau, was the key to happiness.
I came to thinking of Thoreau upon a recent listen to Aaron Copland’s Applachian Spring, one of the quintessential pieces of 20th-century American music. The piece was initially composed as a ballet score in 1944, commissioned by the famous American dancer Martha Graham. In 1945, Copland rearranged the work as a suite for orchestra, and this version has endured as a concert staple ever since.
It is a beautiful piece, markedly tonal in an age where European atonality and serialism ruled the classical music world. Composed as the country neared the end of World War II and approached the dawn of the Cold War, Copland’s piece evokes an earlier, simpler time. This evocation crystallizes in the final movement of the work, which consists of a spirited set of variations on the famous Shaker melody, “Simple Gifts,” followed by a subdued, wistful coda.
Today, amidst the distress caused by the recent economic downturn, I find it particularly important to remember the simpler joys of life. So, take a listen to the final movement of Appalachian Spring, and enjoy this quotation from Thoreau’s Harvard commencement address entitled “The Commercial Spirit,” which he delivered upon his own graduation in the 1830s:
“This curious world which we inhabit is more wonderful than it is convenient; more beautiful than it is useful; it is more to be admired and enjoyed than used.”
Appalachian Spring – 7. Doppo Movimento (Shaker Melody “The Gift To Be Simple”) (YSI) (filesavr)
3 comments:
I think it's interesting that this piece was first just named Ballet for Martha, up until the night before the opening preformance! Now it's remembered as his best-known work and has numerous arrangements with different instruments.
I agree, Kelly, it is interesting, as many people assume that the piece was inspired by the Appalachian region, and even more specifically, springtime in that region. But you're right, the title was a late addition, taken from a poem. And, in the poem, "spring" refers to a spring of water, à la Poland Spring, rather than the season.
Ben
I assume you've heard "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived (variations on a Shaker hymn)" from the now not-so-new Weezer Red Album. Badass tune, but especially interesting to listen to when compared to this/in light of the idea that simplicity is key.
Just thought I'd throw that out there...
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