Ruth Crawford Seeger's music

Subject: Ruth Crawford Seeger's music
From: Jack Campin
Date: 14 Sep 11 - 08:01 PM

I've just noticed there is some music by Ruth Crawford Seeger (Pete and Mike's mum) on YouTube. Like this:

Prelude no. 2

which I think is the most difficult piece to follow from the score that I have ever seen.

Very, very un-folky. Probably the most hard-edged, uncompromising art music that anybody was writing in the US at the time. It was a great loss that she stopped composing.

Subject: RE: Ruth Crawford Seeger's music
From: pdq
Date: 14 Sep 11 - 08:05 PM

Ruth Crawford helped produce Mike, Penny, Priscilla, Peggy and Barbara Seeger.

She is not Pete Seeger's mother.

Subject: RE: Ruth Crawford Seeger's music
From: Richie
Date: 14 Sep 11 - 08:34 PM

Hi,

Thanks for sharing!

Her early works were influeneced by Scriabin and also Schoenberg who she met once.

Her folk transcriptions for first Sandburg and then Lomax were accurate although some of the arrangements were difficult to play- and perhaps should have been simplified.

Her transcription of KY fiddler Stepp's "Boneparte's Retreat" was used by Aaron Copland for this final Hoedown in his ballet, Rodeo.

Richie