Martha Graham's Appalachian Spring Part 1/4

[@AnotherSpecialEdMom]

It is so wonderful that we can see Martha dance her own choreography -- to actually see her vision, not someone elses' interpretation more than 50 years after she performed it. Thank you, thank you, thank you for bringing us this gift.

[@momscouter]

One of America's greatest choreographers and one of America's greatest composers. How wonderful that they often worked together.

[@AnthonyAvery]

I'm so glad that this is recorded so that future generations of dancers can be inspired by Martha and the music of Aaron. Thank you for the upload.

[@timirish2563]

Viewing the original broadcast of this remains one of my earliest memories (I was two-years-old at the time). I have been forever since wedded to the music of Aaron Copland and the dance genius of Martha Graham. Not a bad way to begin life, I think.

[@dreamfire5210]

Not into dance, but something about this music and dance is so very American. Hard to put into words. I find myself glued to it.

[@saamay1]

i'm so grateful to have performed this piece :)

[@lscott6496]

I really enjoyed this work of art it's a true classic that will live forever.

[@jeni323]

Yes! Google brought me here. I was reminiscing when I took a master class with Takako Asakawa at the New York studio, and saw an 80 something Martha Graham emerge from her office. Dignified, unsmiling, but very attentive watching us. Will never forget that. An incredible woman and American icon.

[@46foryounger]

Martha’s Art was truth plain and simple. Complete factual reflection of what was and what is. Wow.

[@judithnelson1665]

A great American work of art (our smaller scaled Swan Lake); that Graham,at sixty, can successfully pull off the young bride (with understandable physical emendations in this demanding role-even for a young dancer) is one of the most amazing and admirable masquerades ever recorded. Brava, Brava, Martha..

[@robertmcglinchey3347]

I agree - what an artistic performance! I saw her troupe play this at Wolf Trap along with my mentor, 50 years my senior. She and Martha were born/died on nearly the same day @97 years! Wolf trap burst at the seems when Martha made a curtain call at the end - she was about 80. My mentor was introduced to me my a close friend - they met at an Appalachian trail campground. haha.

[@thorpe789]

This brings back so many happy thoughts, being in dance school watching this for the first time.

[@Mjt1262]

The beauty of the music and the dance. It's pure joy

[@gcblue18]

i get chills every time i watch this Martha Graham is a genius

[@geoffwalker9392]

Thank you so much for this - I've known the score well for many years but, at last, to be able to see it danced with the Graham choreography is an amazing experience!

[@Reggie1010101]

I saw this once many years ago and I thought it was just great. Today I found it here and was just blown away with it. True, I admit I'm not cultured enough to understand everyrthing in the dance but, I just loved the misic, the movements and the dancers themselves. This, in my mind, is an absolutely brilliant piece of work and i will enjoy it over and over again for some time to come. The preacher did a great job and was my favorite. Thank you for bringing this to me!

[@jbbruno8115]

Graham never intended her work to be for the 'cultured.' If you need anything more than the dance itself, then the dance is not enough. I'm often saddened that anyone thinks they are not 'cultured' or 'educated' enough for any form of performance art - or, for that matter, art. Continue to enjoy, secure in the knowledge that all you need to bring is an open heart.

[@angelicah1212]

One of the reasons I love Aaron Copland...plus Martha is beyond amazing.

[@alicedesmond4336]

I saw this beautiful performance on a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Arts. I’m glad to see it again.

[@_joncitone_]

My dance class brought me here :)

[@aspasiaa91]

And mine

[@tjtheedge29]

art gen ed 😟

[@onezanny59]

Loved it, and I had a smile on my face while viewing .

[@jabrown1978]

Seeing this made me very emotional. Hands down one of my fave pieces of music and Copland is one of my fave composers, and I just adore adore adore Martha, what she stood for, what she did, so seeing this for the first time, a marriage of the two, the exquisite movement, has me overwrought with emotion. Thank you for posting this.

[@parinsings]

Hey, you seem to be very knowledgeable about music and I was wondering if you could help me with my essay thesis and some key points. I have to present and defend a clearly articulated thesis regarding the cultural significance and meaning of Appalachian Spring in the classical tradition. Can you please help with that? 1. Identify a cultural theme or value exemplified by the work you have chosen, and link this theme or value to the sociopolitical context in which the work was produced. Why is this theme or value of relevance to the production of this work? 2. Who composed the work? Describe at least three important aspects of this composer’s social and cultural environment that shaped his or her professional life. 3. To what period in music history does this work belong? Define at least three important aspects of the musical style of this period. In broad terms, how does this work reflect the cultural, aesthetic, and/or political values of this period? 4. What is the genre of the work (i.e. opera, cantata, program symphony, etc.)? What are the basic characteristics and historical background of this genre? What kinds of expectations might audience members have had when encountering a new work in this genre? 5. Select at least one movement or extended section of the work and describe its distinctive stylistic, dramatic, and/or formal aspects as they relate to the cultural and aesthetic values of the period.

[@TheStockwell]

It's wonderful to hear the original score of Aaron Copland. What he created with thirteen instruments - no brass, no percussion - is amazing. 🐧💙🐧

[@esarfmij]

Happy Birthday Martha. Thank you; you are still with us in spirit and beauty, and the loving music of Maestro Copland.

[@moriomakter9077]

In my school we danced on this song!!!!IT WAS AMAZING

[@shibopshibop]

What on earth are you all complaining about? Music by Aaron Copland, choreography by Martha Graham, set designed by Isamu Noguchi . . . what more could you ask for? Black and white, no less. Classic. I am breathless every time I watch this.

[@ronaldcammarata3422]

This is an historic piece of mid-twientieth century American art captured on film. It is priceless.

[@uiuishitekita]

It's very beautiful music!!

[@luciavanderpijl4501]

A Special Thank you!

[@lillyskyboat]

Very familiar with the suite but this is the first time I’ve watching the dancing, gives the piece a whole new meaning... interesting 😀

[@AndrewRudin]

I just love how the 4 women are "a group" but they're also individualized. The way it plays in and out of this is so marvelous.

[@giordanopagotto7940]

Thank you so so much for uploading this!!

[@speakintothemicb]

Sixty never looked so good. I enjoyed watching this!

[@donaldmosby5389]

+B. Minor It Premiered 1944 Babe!

[@speakintothemicb]

+Donald Mosby Yes sir. I was referring to Ms. Martha being sixty at the time. :)

[@donaldmosby5389]

My bad, I enjoy this video as well. Have a great day on purpose.

[@speakintothemicb]

+Donald Mosby Thank you and I wish the same for you.

[@speakintothemicb]

***** I pray that I will age well.

[@arendstunes1891]

How many times did I hear Sarahjane say "Movement takes focus"? What a splendid example.

[@robertsurface4156]

I saw Martha Graham dancing this piece at the Spoleto Festival in Charleston South Carolina in the 1990's.

[@scottds]

Breathtaking

[@gregorykollarus8190]

This amazing omg

[@yusefendure]

Her work is so beautiful...so passionately expressive; what an artist! Kudos to her entire company as it continues to perform today. Google did bring me here. Thank you for posting; I'll make sure to share this!

[@TheMusicDude04]

UGH SOOOOOOO GOOOD!!!! Love it :)

[@garykuovideos]

Wow! This is amazing! As a composer myself, I have found Mr. Copland’s work to be a great source of inspiration. I never thought, however, that this wonderful film might even be available! Thank you SO MUCH for sharing!

[@gjvalent]

Fantastic and amazing. The set is identical to the version filmed in 1944. But complete and clear. According to the IMDB, Martha Graham was born in 1894, which would have made her 64 at the time of this performance. Portraying a woman in her late teens or early twenties. Superb. An American ballet if there ever was.

[@IamHelenKeller]

Thanks for the fascinating video.... Nice work!

[@lorad.722]

2:50 and 4:10 I really love the music at these moments

[@AndrewRudin]

This is one of the most beautifully photographed of all dance films. The wonderful Noguchi set, so beautifully lit.... the editing and camera angles so meaningfully conceived, fully understanding the choreography, yet not just a static "fishbowl" view as is so often done for archival purposes. And the original 13-instrument version of the music IS so much more in character with the simple modest character of the piece. Wonderful all around.

[@BenNixBradley]

Just saw an interview with the male dancer in the second half on pbs. What a neat connection

[@ThomasJeff4s0n]

Thumbs up if you're from Charlotte, NC and the Martha Graham Dance Studio brought you here.

[@sh1tlips4]

thumbs up if google DIDN'T bring you here...copland and graham are visionarys

[@yowfpakistan]

wonderful´and stunning...

[@michaelschomberg9260]

Fantastic music, good film quality, as you see from1959, Graham dancing was builded up for rising higher in the future . ( Sorry for making mistakes in English)

[@RosePetal17]

I believe both Kate Bush and David Bowie studied dance with Martha Graham(I think so anyway). When I watch "Running up that Hill", I can see Martha's style in Kate's movement.

[@HistoryandHeadlines]

I watched these out of sequence for some reason. Perhaps, it's time to watch them in sequence! :)

[@billsmith3464]

They have this video playing in the Met's Shaker section. Fantastic.

[@jeanluc1404]

Hier wird es um Freude getanzt, und dadurch weiter geteilt

[@RapKrider]

It is Charlotte's great privilege to see this performed here on Friday, Jan 18, 2013. Sent here by wfae. org / charlottetalks after an interview on Monday, Jan 14.

[@rosiebateson4498]

Now I understand Danny Kaye’s dance spoof in White Christmas called “Choreography”. This is a little over complicated but very beautiful

[@sclogse1]

Stuart Hodes as the male lead. He lived to 98, having passed this March, 2023. I think he still had the same New York apartment he had from the 50's. Or before!

[@soapbxprod]

Why so many nasty comments here? Maybe you are all jealous. I have no other explanation... This might be the greatest work of American Ballet and Symphonic music ever created. Thank you so much for uploading.

[@Pearly056]

***** I agree with you.

[@soapbxprod]

Patsy Jacobs Thanks, dear... KZbin is awash with revolting people, jealous second rate nobodies who hate anything that makes them feel inferior or inadequate. Hope that you have a lovely Spring weekend!

[@archie977]

***** i nearly cry'd cos true beauty makes me cry

[@ronaldcammarata3422]

Don't sweat the philistines.

[@MusiqueDanyel]

I was there opening night:)

[@starrbeatlesqueen]

It is Appalachian Spring by Aaron Copland. He wrote this music for Martha Graham.

[@jameslynch3321]

starrbeatlesqueen he did not write it for her

[@JuStiTANa]

Maravilloso

[@bwsettle1]

The digital transfer from the original film/video was not as effective as it should have been. Rapid movements seem to become glitchy. I hope someone will re-digitize it from the original video, if it still exists.

[@yo_yoshin]

So I am watching this video for a class. I thought it would be another boring dance video because of the beginning but it got really amusing later on! It must be tough to keep a straight face because the man wearing light colors must not be having it, he looks like he is having a hard time trying not to laugh.

[@rebecca8273]

@karinablacktie Actually, it's in black and white because this was originally shown on television in 1958 - at a time when very few people had color television sets. (Color televisions weren't really in wide use until the mid-late 60s.)

[@roddykennedy9476]

Always baffles and disappoints me how few comments there are on videos like this given the number of viewings and the number of music students there are in the world.

[@wpariah]

Spare and elegant.

[@cynthialucien1926]

My music appreciation class brought me here

[@maximohita9863]

Genial

[@Boliverian]

brilliant, a transformation ballet in the development of a classical american art form. Should be studied seriously by all new choreographers.

[@karinablacktie]

@xavtron I couldn't disagree more (although I'm really not trying to put you down for your comment). I love the simplicity of the piece which mirrors the Shaker theme throughout. Technicolor was around during the time this was filmed, so I can only imagine that it was down in black and white deliberately. The cinematography is excellent, with vivid contrast and a beautiful starkness.

[@starlyndangelo4972]

Copland used a Shaker tune called Simple Gifts as the basis for Appalachian Spring. Both Copland and Graham were deeply influenced by Shaker music and dance. Shakers are a celibate communal religious society that had very progressive ideas and a profound influence on the arts.

[@karinablacktie]

@rebecca8273 Point taken. I still like it in black and white, but I tend to like black and white photography also, especially when it's done with good contrast like this production. I hadn't realized this was shown on tv in 1958. Serves me right for not looking at more of the description.

[@salemfathi2532]

Dance as art

[@saamay1]

i performed this piece in china =) it's really pretty and its really gratifying and mesmerizing to perform it

[@maxreger100]

@tommyrall3 Fascinating observation. Many people disliked Graham (and still do) for the jerkiness of her choreography--but if you watch this all, you can see that there is still so much ballet in what she does.

[@FaithWillLead]

I love @6:17 she just stops right on time.

[@starlyndangelo4972]

Copland used a Shaker tune called "Simple Gifts" as the basis for Appalachian Spring. Shakers had a big influence on Copland and Graham.

[@GingerMonroe14]

My music class brought me here :D

[@BriannaMatzke]

Section 1 0:00 Section 2 2:10

[@EatSleepSquint]

So? I'm at U of M and we're apparently listening to the same thing :)

[@ApatinisTrikotazas]

I went from the online comedy show "Web Therapy" where they mentioned STUDIO54 to Wikipedia about that to Martha Graham to KZbin So no, google did not bring me here

[@ronaldcammarata3422]

Quite a few philistines commenting here. But that's KZbin for ya.

[@al1936ful]

It wasn't CBS after all, it was NET (National Educational Television), the precursor to PBS.

[@JesusgavemeHolySpiri]

@yusefendure Bless you friend, with all my heart I mean that... much love to you and all of those that you know, friends, family, enemies and strangers you meet, may your light shine bright as you walk in love, always and .. forever.

[@davidevitanza]

Mi sapete dire chi sono i musicisti? Se appartengono a qualche orchestra del tempo?

[@wesleyan97]

@19arcadia This isn't the 1944 premiere, It's a 1959 performance. Graham was born in 1894. Do the math :-) It's more inspiring to watch, knowing she's in her mid-sixties.

[@courtneynellies81]

Okay so is the bride the one in the darker dress with the flower, or the one in the lighter dress who dances with the groom? I can't tell.

[@MrRhickok1109]

Graham was just 50 when the ballet premiered.

[@PiNkLoLiPoPs]

yes! haha where do you go to school?

[@sam9242]

Gripe, Gripe, Gripe!

[@verstengenericks]

@SuzyCheeseSteak Congratulations on your bold wondering! josjuajeffery above gives a good answer. About the only thing you need to start to appreciate it is have a sense of, "This is cool, I want to get it!"... Ask yourself the question, if I wanted to show feelings, joy, trepidation, etc., about marriage and relationship but all I could do is have people move around on a stage, how would I have them move to convey those feelings and meanings to the audience...Ms. Graham gives one answer...

[@firestonefeinberg5089]

OMG

[@chasnaj]

Danny Kaye brought me here.

[@chasnaj]

Now I'm leaving.

[@sop.liliyoo]

00:23

[@woof3x]

@kdavisification i hate life until i see a message such as kdavisfication again. oh god help us!

[@ni5592]

2:03

[@ちぇのき]

1:45

[@jamaincorporated9533]

Oh my gosh -- of course this "isn't Ballet" -- some people obviously do not know their dance history at all!!!!! This IS one of the greatest dance works EVER - and those who don't appreciate it, need further education -- because you are dance illiterate!

[@soapbxprod]

JAMA Incorporated AMEN! AMEN! :)

[@hollylovejoy5073]

I have danced ballet for 15 years, and studied modern dance throughout, but I just dont GET it. Can you explain what about this piece makes it a masterpiece? Not trying to be rude, just curious.

[@mattwalker5129]

So you didn't study Graham at your university? She was a genius.

[@lmw8708]

Where did you study out of curitiisity Holly?

[@hollylovejoy5073]

i would rather not say for privacy, but i have only spent one year at university

[@EveMarfa05]

woe to the one that put a dislike on this

[@xDvalx]

does anyone waht this music is /

[@virgil.alonso]

SANTA CLARA VANGUARD!

[@jordifuentesandres226]

ESTA VERSION EN BALLET narra la historia de la candorosa secta Shaker en los montes Apalaches,descendientes religiosos de los cuáqueros,y la música incorpora algunas plácidas melodías Shaker,como THE GIFT TO BE SIMPLE IS THE GIFT.VER otro ballet Billy el niño,rodeo.opera la dulce tierra.ver sonatas.,sinfonías.,conciertos,obras de cámara.,obras orquestales.,.,doce poemas.,viejosv cantos americanos.,obra corales.,

[@mattmillerkb]

2:09 when shit gets legit

[@vivianavelasquez6884]

✍ 🎼🍃💚💃😱😍