Part III of IV of Aaron Copland and Martha Graham’s Appalachian Spring (Video)

[Previously, at WEJB/NSU: “Video: Appalachian Spring, as Conceived, Choreographed, and Performed by Martha Graham; Music by Aaron Copland: Part 1 of 4”; and

“Aaron and Martha: Appalachian Spring, Part II of IV, Ballet and Music (Video).”]
 

Re-posted by Nicholas Stix

 

Simple Gifts (19th Century Shaker Theme)

‘Tis the gift to be simple, ‘tis the gift to be free,
‘Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
‘Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan’t be asham’d,
To turn, turn, will be our delight,
‘Till by turning, turning we come ... round ... right.
 



 

danceonfilm
Published on Jan 11, 2010

Part 3/4
Appalachian Spring
Premiered 1944
Choreographed by Martha Graham
Original Score by Aaron Copland

This part contains the following movements of the piece:

7th movement: Celebration of marriage and newfound relationships. This is the iconic use of the 'Simple Gifts' theme that arguably makes this music piece famous.

8th movement: Fast and manic. The revivalist warns the newlyweds of the perils of evil on the frontier.

9th movement: Dramatic and deep. The husbandman seeks guidance from the pioneer woman.

10th movement: Fast and folksy as before: A return to the flock admiring the preacher.

Dancers in this film:

The Bride: Martha Graham
The Husbandman: Stuart Hodes
The Revivalist: Bertram Ross
The Pioneer Woman: Matt Turney
The Revivalists' Flock: Yuriko, Helen McGehee, Ethel Winter, Miriam Cole

Film Directed and Photographed by Peter Glushanok, Produced by Nathan Kroll, Presented by WQED Pittsburgh. Filmed in 1959.