Ballet for Martha
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Tells the story behind the creation of "Appalachian Spring," describing Aaron Copland's composition, Martha Graham's intense choreography and Isamu Noguchi's set design.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 46-47)
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ELIZABETH RAMSEY BIRD thinks this title is suitable for between the ages of 6 and 10
Summary
Add a Summary“Sometimes art is made by one artist, working alone, but sometimes it is the result of artists working together – collaborating – to forge something new.” New was not an unfamiliar word to dancer Martha Graham. She spent a great deal of her life exploring new types of dance in the mid-20th century. And when she wanted to make a dance about American living, she turned to composer Aaron Copland. With much revision to her vision, Copland wrote for Martha music based on the old Shaker hymn “Simple Gifts”. After that, Isamu Noguchi was hired to create the spare sets for the production. The show was called “Appalachian Spring” and it has since become an American classic. The kind that can be recreated and reenacted forever, all because three different people got together to make a ballet that displayed their best works. A “Curtain Call” afterword says more about the lives of each of the three artists and a Notes and Sources section includes a Bibliography, Web Sites, and additional Notes.
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Add a Quote“Sometimes art is made by one artist, working alone, but sometimes it is the result of artists working together – collaborating – to forge something new.”
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Appalachian Spring (Part One of Four)
Appalachian Spring Premiered 1944 Choreographed by Martha Graham Original Score by Aaron Copland Take a gander at the dance featured in "Ballet for Martha". Starring Martha Graham herself.
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Add a CommentWe’re constantly telling our kids that cooperation is an essential skill. We teach them to share. We (hopefully) give them the chance to learn about the essential give and take that exists when two or more people try to create something new together. Yet my mind is a perfect blank of nonfiction books that teach this until I look over and see my copy of Ballet for Martha perched on the arm of my chair. The tale of how a dancer, a composer, and an artist/set designer is a true story that shows how professional adults can work together, regardless of differences in background, ethnicity, or experience. Sometimes we just need stories that show us how to make things.