Classical Music Milestone. October 30, 1944.
Appalachian Spring is a modern ballet composed by Aaron Copland that premiered in 1944. Its popularity has endured as an orchestral suite. The ballet, scored for a thirteen-member chamber orchestra, was created upon commission of choreographer and dancer Martha Graham with funds from the Coolidge Foundation. It premiered on Monday, October 30th, 1944, at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C., with Martha Graham dancing the lead role.
The set was designed by the Japanese American sculptor Isamu Noguchi.
For his achievement of this popular ballet suite music, composer Aaron Copland was awarded the 1945 Pulitzer Prize for Music.
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Martha Graham is 20th century's dancer, choreographer, and modern dance teacher. She is famous for ballet Appalachian Spring and one of the pioneers of modern dance who brought modern dance to theater in an art form. Innovative and consummate dance teacher, she invented a new language of movement that reveals the passion, the rage and the ecstasy of human experience.
In 1945, Copland rearranged the ballet work as an orchestral suite. The ballet and orchestral work were well received. The music made him popular. In 1972, Boosey & Hawkes published a version of the suite integrating the structure of the orchestral suite with the scoring of the original ballet: double string quarter, bass, clarinet, flute, bassoon, and piano. In 1954, conductor and violinist Eugene Ormandy asked Copland to expand the orchestration for the full score of the ballet. This version was recorded by Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra for RCA Victor in May 1999.
Originally, Copland did not have a title for the work, referring to it simply as Ballet for Martha. Shortly before the premiere, Martha Graham suggested Appalachian Spring, a phrase from a Hart Crane poem, "The Dance" from a collection of poems in his book "The Bridge."
The word "spring" therefore denotes a source of water in the Crane poem. However, the poem also is a journey to meet springtime.
The ballet story of Appalachian Spring is a spring celebration of the American pioneers of the 1800s after building a new Pennsylvania farmhouse. Among the central characters are a newlywed couple, a revivalist preacher and his followers, and a neighbor.
The orchestral suite is divided into eight sections. Copland description of each scene:
Resources:
Latest update, October 30, 2015. Originally posted October 30, 2006.
Aaron Copland's ballet Appalachian Spring was first staged by the Martha Graham Ballet, in Washington.
Appalachian Spring is a modern ballet composed by Aaron Copland that premiered in 1944. Its popularity has endured as an orchestral suite. The ballet, scored for a thirteen-member chamber orchestra, was created upon commission of choreographer and dancer Martha Graham with funds from the Coolidge Foundation. It premiered on Monday, October 30th, 1944, at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C., with Martha Graham dancing the lead role.
The set was designed by the Japanese American sculptor Isamu Noguchi.
For his achievement of this popular ballet suite music, composer Aaron Copland was awarded the 1945 Pulitzer Prize for Music.
Appalachian Spring Ballet - Martha Graham - Merce Cunningham - Aaron Copland
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Martha Graham, Ballet Dance Interpreter
Martha Graham is 20th century's dancer, choreographer, and modern dance teacher. She is famous for ballet Appalachian Spring and one of the pioneers of modern dance who brought modern dance to theater in an art form. Innovative and consummate dance teacher, she invented a new language of movement that reveals the passion, the rage and the ecstasy of human experience.
Notes on Appalachian Spring
In 1945, Copland rearranged the ballet work as an orchestral suite. The ballet and orchestral work were well received. The music made him popular. In 1972, Boosey & Hawkes published a version of the suite integrating the structure of the orchestral suite with the scoring of the original ballet: double string quarter, bass, clarinet, flute, bassoon, and piano. In 1954, conductor and violinist Eugene Ormandy asked Copland to expand the orchestration for the full score of the ballet. This version was recorded by Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra for RCA Victor in May 1999.
Originally, Copland did not have a title for the work, referring to it simply as Ballet for Martha. Shortly before the premiere, Martha Graham suggested Appalachian Spring, a phrase from a Hart Crane poem, "The Dance" from a collection of poems in his book "The Bridge."
O Appalachian Spring! I gained the ledge;
Steep, inaccessible smile that eastward bends
And northward reaches in that violet wedge
Of Adirondacks!
The word "spring" therefore denotes a source of water in the Crane poem. However, the poem also is a journey to meet springtime.
Storyline of the Ballet Appalachian Spring
The ballet story of Appalachian Spring is a spring celebration of the American pioneers of the 1800s after building a new Pennsylvania farmhouse. Among the central characters are a newlywed couple, a revivalist preacher and his followers, and a neighbor.
The Ballet Suite Form
The orchestral suite is divided into eight sections. Copland description of each scene:
- Very slowly. Introduction of the characters, one by one, in a suffused light.
- Fast. Sudden burst of unison strings in A major arpeggios starts the action. A sentiment both elated and religious gives the keynote to this scene.
- Moderate. Duo for the Bride and her Intended – scene of tenderness and passion.
- Quite fast. The Revivalist and his flock. Folksy feeling – suggestions of square dances and country fiddlers.
- Still faster. Solo dance of the Bride – presentiment of motherhood. Extremes of joy and fear and wonder.
- Very slowly (as at first). Transition scene to music reminiscent of the introduction.
- Calm and flowing. Scenes of daily activity for the Bride and her Farmer husband. There are five variations on a Shaker theme. The theme which is sung by a solo clarinet, was taken from a collection of Shaker melodies compiled by Edward D. Andrews, and published under the title "The Gift to Be Simple." The melody most borrowed and used almost literally is called "Simple Gifts."
- Moderate. Coda. The Bride takes her place among her neighbors. At the end, the couple are left "quiet and strong in their new house." Muted strings intone a hushed prayer-like chorale passage, with the close reminiscent of the opening music.
Resources:
- Dickinson, Peter. Copland Connotations. Rochester: Boydell Press (2002).
- www.pulitzer.org/bycat/Music. Accessed October 30, 2011.
- www.npr.org/programs/specials/milestones/991027.motm.apspring.html. Accessed October 30, 2011.
Latest update, October 30, 2015. Originally posted October 30, 2006.
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