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Form and structure

The overall structure is ternary form A-B-A. Within this structure there are different sections and musical ideas based on popular folk songs:

1. introduction
2. section A – Woodblock and Bonaparte’s Retreat
3. section B – McLoeod’s Reel, Gilderoy and McLeod’s Reel
4. section A – Woodblock and Bonaparte’s Retreat
5. coda

Harmony and tonality

Overall, the key signature of Hoedown is D major. The introduction is in the tonic minor (D minor) before moving to D major in section A. Section B moves to G major, the subdominant, and to A minor, the minor dominant of D major. When section A returns, the key returns to the tonic.

Tempo

The tempo is marked allegro.

Rhythm and metre

The music begins with the orchestra playing the accented and syncopated rhythm shown in the excerpt. This is layered with a semiquaver triplet idea played on the offbeat.

The movement begins in 2/4. As the rhythms gradually shorten, an accelerando effect is created. A single 3/4 bar is written before returning to duple time.

Dynamics

The introduction is marked fortissimo (ff). This contrasts with the previous movement which was calm and subdued. The first woodblock passage in section A is quieter and marked mezzo forte (mf). When it later returns it is followed by a bridge section which slows down and diminuendos to piano.

Section B begins forte (f). The climax at the end of the piece is extremely loud and accented. The final three notes are marked sforzando with accents.

Texture and melody

The introduction opens with whole orchestra playing a syncopated rhythm. The melodic triplet idea is taken from the first bar of section A. The upper part is played by the flutes, oboes, trumpet 1, violin 1 and violin 2. An inverted version of the triplet theme is played by the cor anglais, bass clarinet, trumpet 3, violas and cellos.

A new two-bar rhythmic idea follows immediately which is passed between the trumpets, first violins, oboes and clarinets and accompanied by the second violins, violas and cellos playing double stopped open fifths marked marcato. The open fifth accompaniment is passed between the different instrument sections quickly, which gives the impression of an accelerando before the climax.

The tune from Bonaparte’s Retreat is introduced in the second half of section A. It is played by the clarinets, violins and violas. The triplet figure heard in the introduction now features in this new melody.

Timbre

Hoedown features a range of other percussion instruments used in imaginative ways. It features the woodblock and the cymbal played by a hard stick in section A and a rim shot on the snare drum resembling a gunshot in section B. The use of pizzicato and staccato strings also adds to the percussive feel of the movement.