75
Celebrating the 75th Anniversary
of the premiere of
Appalachian Spring
October 30, 1944
T
hroughout this exhibit, archival photos of the original
cast of Appalachian Spring are accompanied by quotes
from the scenarios that Martha Graham sent Aaron
Copland describing her ideas for the dance and the qualities she
was looking for in the music he was creating for her. During their
correspondence, which began in 1942, Graham sent Copland three
scripts, each was 12-13 pages long, and the final was titled "House
of Victory." Her ideas for the dance changed somewhat once she
received Copland's score, but the descriptions in the scripts are
indelibly woven into Copland's music, her choreography, and the
end result – Appalachian Spring.
Exhibit curated by Janet Eilber
Archival support by Oliver Tobin
Design by Patrick Flood
Photo credit: Martha Graham in Appalachian Spring. Photograph by Arnold Eagle, circa 1950s. Courtesy of Martha Graham Resources, a division of the Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance, Inc.
Program credit: Concert program from the premiere of Appalachian Spring at The Library of Congress, October 30, 1944. Courtesy of Martha Graham Resources, a division of the Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance, Inc.
