Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring

By Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan

Illustrated by Brian Floca 

Together Martha Graham, Aaron Copland and Isamu Noguchi created an American masterpiece: Appalachian Spring. This is a true story of a trailblazing choreographer, a distinguished American composer and an artist, sculptor, craftsman. Through months of planning, rehearsing and preparation on October 30, 1944 a ballet performance was performed that is now a beautiful and acclaimed classic. 

"Sometimes art is made by one artist, working alone, but sometimes it is the result of artist working together--collaborating--to forge something new. It took more than a year and the imaginations of many talented people for Appalachian Spring, the dance created by Martha Graham to be performed on stage for the first time. The result was an American classic. This is the story of how it happened." 

Martha Graham (1894-1991): Choreographer/Dancer 

Aaron Copland (1900-1990): American Composer 

Isamu Noguchi (1904-1988): Artist 

Ballet for Martha is much more than just about a dancer. It is a wonderful book that promotes creativity and collaboration. Accurate information, vivid illustrations make this an all-around lovely book.

Here is a short video clip of Appalachian Spring: