The Red Pony.
By: Krista Chen
First composed for the screenplay adaptation of the collection of short stories called The Red Pony by John Steinbeck, the score was originally created with six separate pieces. These songs make up a complete orchestral suite that lasts 25 minutes long and include songs such as:
In this selection, "Morning on the Ranch," the music starts off with blaring horns and a steady crescendo, marking the rising sun and the slow awakening of the earth described through the setting of the book. As the sun continues to rise, the score goes on to a more quieter calm, with a peaceful yet lively and merry tone that emphasizes the higher instruments such as violin and flute. Each instrument is then added on to the melody one by one until the day reaches its peak when all the instruments begin in forte to play the uniform rhythms and chords.
- "Morning on the Ranch"
- "The Gift"
- "Dream March and Circus Music"
- "Walk to the Bunkhouse"
- "Grandfather's Story"
- "Happy Ending"
In this selection, "Morning on the Ranch," the music starts off with blaring horns and a steady crescendo, marking the rising sun and the slow awakening of the earth described through the setting of the book. As the sun continues to rise, the score goes on to a more quieter calm, with a peaceful yet lively and merry tone that emphasizes the higher instruments such as violin and flute. Each instrument is then added on to the melody one by one until the day reaches its peak when all the instruments begin in forte to play the uniform rhythms and chords.
This next selection, "Dream March and Circus Music," is a much more dramatic piece that emphasizes the emotions of the movie. It shows the extremely happy and adventurous spirit of a boy finally met with his wish, to own a pony. Through the many accidentals that strike as abnormal throughout the piece, it displays the very wild and sporadic nature of the characters, much like a circus. Although through the very middle of the song, there runs a string of soft, melancholy melodies maybe representative of the pony falling ill, the piece soon jumps right back into the chaotic and wild jubilation of the song.