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Form and structure

The most important structural element of Saturday Night Waltz is Copland’s use of the folk song I Ride an Old Paint. Following a short introduction, this waltz is introduced before being developed in various ways. At the end of the movement, the waltz melody returns. The movement as a whole is ternary form (A-B-A) in structure with some additions, eg an extended introduction and Repetition of some of its music later in the movement.

Harmony and tonality

The double basses establish the tonal centre by playing a pedal on G. This section imitates the sound of an orchestra tuning up.

The pitch moves down a semitone to G♭ after the introduction. The music revolves around the triad of G♭ major before returning to the tonic key signature of the introduction, G major. Copland develops the music to E♭ major. The slow waltz melody is accompanied by simple tonic and dominant harmony.

The final section returns to the tonic key of E♭ major. The movement closes on an open fifth.

Tempo

Copland indicates a number of tempo changes throughout the piece. The introduction begins at a quick tempo marked 152 beats per minute (bpm). Once the piece begins to modulate, the score indicates the music should be played broader. The slow waltz is played at around 72 bpm, but the music quickens to 144 bpm before gradually slowing as the movement comes to an end.

Rhythm and metre

The waltz is in 3/4 time. For the first eight bars of the introduction, the strings emphasise every second beat, which feels as if the music is in duple time rather than triple.

Dynamics

The overall dynamic range is subdued within the third movement.

After markings of forte (f) and fortissimo (ff) during the introduction, the dynamics diminish to mezzo forte (mf) and piano (p). The dynamic remains fairly soft until the return to f at the end of the movement.

Texture and melody

The introduction begins with a homophonic texture played by the strings. The first violins play perfect fifths on the open strings by using a double stopping and triple stopping technique (where 2 or 3 notes are played together at the same time by each violinist).

The slow waltz melody is played by the oboe and is based on the song I Ride an Old Paint. Below is the original melody from I Ride an Old Paint followed by an extract of audio from Saturday Night Waltz that has been inspired by the folk song.

Copland transforms the original melody in a number of ways. It now begins with a minim anacrusis. Although the anacrusis has been augmented, the sampled melody has been rhythmically shortened to quavers. Staccato articulation is indicated on the dotted rhythms. The sparse accompaniment has a laid-back feel and is played by the clarinets, harp and cello. Occasionally the oboe and first violin play the melody in unison while the decorative flute brings brightness to the overall timbre.

Timbre

Even though the suite is written for large orchestra, the third movement sounds as though it is scored for a smaller chamber orchestra and Copland does not include all the instruments in all movements. The reduced score has solo passages in the woodwind and the trombone is played is played with a mute.

Instrument families

There are four different instrument families in Saturday Night Waltz.