Appalachian Spring (ballet)
"Appalachian Spring" is a ballet created through the collaboration of composer Aaron Copland and dancer-choreographer Martha Graham, commissioned by the Elizabeth Coolidge Foundation. The ballet portrays the pioneering spirit of a newlywed couple settling in Pennsylvania during the early 19th century, reflecting themes of hope and new beginnings. Notably, Copland's score incorporates the Shaker hymn "Simple Gifts," which has become emblematic of his distinctive American musical style. The ballet premiered in the Coolidge Auditorium at the Library of Congress, featuring a small ensemble of thirteen musicians, and Graham herself performed the lead role of the Bride, contributing to the ballet's title inspired by a poem by Hart Crane. Japanese American artist Isamu Noguchi designed a minimalistic set that echoed the Shaker aesthetic and emphasized the vastness of the frontier. In 1945, Copland arranged a full orchestral suite from the ballet, which has since been popular among orchestras. "Appalachian Spring" has come to represent the essence of the American experience, capturing the excitement of open landscapes and the promise of opportunity. Its success in the 1940s solidified Copland's reputation as a leading American composer.
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Appalachian Spring (ballet)
Identification Pulitzer Prize-winning ballet
Creators Composed by Aaron Copland (1900-1990); choreographed by Martha Graham (1894-1991)
Date Premiered in 1944
Appalachian Spring captures the ideals of the American pioneering spirit through Graham’s choreography and Copland’s musical scoring. The ballet was an instant success, leading to a Pulitzer Prize in music (the third in the history of the category) and a Music Critics’ Circle of New York award.
Commissioned by the Elizabeth Coolidge Foundation, Appalachian Spring came to fruition through the collaboration of composer Aaron Copland and dancer-choreographer Martha Graham. The ballet is based on the pioneering spirit of a newlywed couple settling into the frontier lands of Pennsylvania during the early nineteenth century. Copland’s score helped establish his reputation as the first composer with a distinctly American style. The most notable element to this style is the use of the Shaker hymn “Simple Gifts.” The premiere of the ballet took place in the Coolidge Auditorium at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., and featured a small ensemble of thirteen instrumentalists. In addition to her choreography, Graham performed the principal role of the Bride and suggested the title for the ballet (based on the title to a Hart Crane poem). Japanese American artist Isamu Noguchi created a minimalistic and Shaker-inspired set design that reinforced the openness of the frontier and Copland’s scoring. A full orchestral suite was arranged by Copland in 1945 and is frequently performed by professional orchestras.
Impact
Capturing the excitement of open landscapes and unlimited opportunities, Appalachian Spring embodies the spirit of the American experience. Its success in the 1940’s was the beginning of widespread and ongoing popularity for Aaron Copland as a distinctly American composer.
Bibliography
Crist, Elizabeth B. Music for the Common Man: Aaron Copland During the Depression and War. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005.
Smith, Julia. Aaron Copland: His Work and Contribution to American Music. New York: E. P. Dutton, 1955.