Analytical Essays

Name: Siyi He
Course: Dan 130 
Professor: Morejon Jorge
Date: April 21, 2020

Analytical Essay: Martha Graham’s Appalachian Spring

 The physical expression of emotions in an artistic manner has become possible through dance. Before I had a dance class this semester, I didn't have a deep understanding of dance. I think dance may be just a way of sports and entertainment. However, during my study in class this semester, I found that before every dance taught by the teacher, he would draw for a long time to take us to understand and understand the story behind the dance, including the origin and development of dance. I understood the teacher's intention. If you want to understand a dance, you can not only watch its superficial performance, but also know what the dance plot and dance action contain. There must be a lot to learn behind a perfect dance performance.

The humans’ love for movement, music, and performance allowed significant progress on the evolution of dance. One of the several dance styles is modern dance, which started as a free form of ballet (Yunanova, 2017). Focusing on a modern dance piece called Martha Graham’s Appalachian Spring, I will critically analyse three aspects of the said dance piece: (1) Storyline, (2) Techniques, and (3) Relevance to the dance world. To achieve this, the essay will first discuss a brief background of modern dance and Martha Graham to provide context. Then, it will move forward in addressing the dance piece, including its history, creators, and the dance itself. Each of the three areas will also be discussed in detail, based explicitly on the evidences from the dance piece. Martha Graham’s choreography of Appalachian Spring shows the artistic expression of a hopeful reunification of men and women amidst the challenges of settling in a new land.

While many people only accounted for ballet as the sole artistic form of dance, the modern dance was among the first styles which challenged the fundamentals of ballet and proved to be an interesting art form. Modern dance started from Isadora Duncan’s teachings, as influenced by the natural forces and ancient cultures (Yunanova, 2017; “Modern dance primer,” 2001). Although modern dance started in Europe, it flourished in the United States through the guidance of its experimental dancers. One of its pioneers is Martha Graham, who studied at Denishawn Dance Centre and revolutionized the dance world apart from the typical ballet routines (Ibid.; “Martha Graham,” n. d.). As Yunanova (2017) wrote, “Graham exposed the physical efforts that were carefully concealed in classical dance” (p. 4). Apart from the seemingly constricted dancing structure of ballet, modern dance thrived in evolving dance techniques and innovations of choreographers to express emotional and psychological experiences. It can be argued that while ballet focused on the aesthetic form of dancing, modern dance committed the human body among other presentation tools to express emotions. There is always a new language of expression in modern dance, regardless if it is off-rhythm or far from graceful. The dance in itself is the music, focused on delivering the story and the emotions along with the movements.

With Martha Graham’s significant legacy in the history of modern dance and the entire dance form, one of her prized creations is called the Appalachian Spring. Martha was interested in fashioning choreography based on human experiences, historical accounts, personal struggles, and the likes (“Martha Graham and Appalachian Spring,” n. d.). Many of her choreographies are about Greek mythologies, but, as always, her stories are told through the point of view of women. Focusing on Appalachian Spring, the story tells a young frontier couple preparing their lives before they get married and settle in the new land (“Appalachian Spring,” n. d.). This story was set during the time when the war in Europe was coming to an end and men and women are hopeful to their joyous reunification. The four major characters of the story are the bride/wife, husband, pioneer woman, and revivalist preacher, while there are also chorus dancers representing the revivalist’ flock. It shows the truth about the couple’s lives, highlighting the challenges involved in starting a new life together in a new land. In a way, Martha’s story mirrors the life of the Americans as they conquer new lands. This specific piece, the Appalachian Spring, is a collaboration between Martha Graham with the music composer, Aaron Copland. Martha believes in the idea that “movement never lies,” which was evident in her choreography (“Martha Graham and Appalachian Spring,” n. d. para. 4). Martha may have been dead for several years now but her influence continues. The first presentation of this dance piece was premiered in 1944 and although it is still used by the members of Martha Graham Dance Company and other modern dancers, the dance piece chosen for this analysis was the one filmed in 1959 (danceonfilm, 2010). Considering that this whole modern dance piece is quite long, only the first part among four will be broken down as evidences for the analysis.

As previously discussed, the plot of the dance piece was about a young pioneer couple preparing to start their lives together despite the challenges of maintaining traditions. The first scene where all the characters enters one by one establishes the importance of each. It was observed that when the couple saw one another, they were immediately separated by the flock or the worshippers. It showed that the traditional practices and beliefs of the community were trying to contain and restrict the youthful love of the couple. Despite the ending war and the chance for men and women to be together, the traditional and spiritual practices were preventing them to do as they please, particularly that they are not yet married in the beginning. The elder pioneer woman and the beliefs taught by the preacher intend to guide the couple in their choices, The first part also includes the wedding scene, where the couple finally danced together. The first part of the dance was rather lively, followed by a prayerful notion, then a sweet passionate duo. The first part of the whole Appalachian Spring dance piece ended as the couple settled down and the preacher approaches. The chosen first part for the analysis alone presented strong, yet calm, opposing forces between the young couple and the traditional practices and beliefs of the elder people. As observed the movements of the dancers aided in narrating this story to the audience.

Digging deeper into the modern dance style of the piece, it is evident that Martha explored several techniques far from the fundamentals of ballet. While the ballet style use the stage by facing the viewers at all times, modern dance pieces like the Appalachian Spring utilises all orientations (“Modern dance primer,” 2001). It can also be observed that the steps does not have a rhythmic pattern. Some of the steps, as mostly observed from the chorus dancers, were not in line with the music. This style creates a sense of urgency and emotional impact. Graham’s style was also evident in the first part of the Appalachian Spring through having a group of dancers representing an entity, which in this case is the flock representing the strong spiritual faith of the community. Moreover, the style of having a centered action is also visible in this piece. Although the characters were spread out on the stage, they do not move individually from one another, which would confuse the viewers. Instead, the character in action often moves to the center to indicate that it was his/her turn. Finally, Graham’s style involves having a specific set props, costumes, and music created specifically for this choreography. Martha collaborated with Copland to compose a music designed for her storyline. While some other dancers may choose an existing song or music, Martha is different by wanting a unique music for her creations. These elements are pieced together to create the desired emotional experience for the audiences.

Lastly, the piece’s relevance to the dance world paved way to modern approaches to dance styles. If not for the pioneers like Martha, the dance world might have been stuck with ballet only. The Appalachian Spring is an inspiring dance piece that started to oppose the constrained rules of ballet to produce Martha’s own version of modern dance.

The Appalachian Spring is considered as a significant influence in the field of modern dance and Martha Graham showed her new style by challenging the ways of ballet. Three areas of the piece’s first part were specifically discussed: (1) Storyline, (2) Techniques, and (3) Relevance to the dance world. Appalachian Spring proves why Martha Graham is one of the significant pioneers that drove modern dance to progress.

References

‘Appalachian Spring’ (n. d.). Martha Graham Dance Company. Retrieved from https://marthagraham.org/portfolio-items/appalachian-spring-1944/.

Danceonfilm (2010 January 11). Martha Graham’s Appalachian Spring part 1/4. YouTube, Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmgaKGSxQVw.

Martha Graham’ (n. d.). Martha Graham Dance Company. Retrieved from https://marthagraham.org/history/.

‘Martha Graham and Appalachian Spring’ (n. d.). The Kennedy Center Arts Edge. Retrieved from https://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/students/features/master-work/graham-appalachian-spring#the-master.

‘Modern dance primer’ (2001 March 23). PBS. Retrieved from https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/entertainment-jan-june01-modern-dance_03-23.

Yunanova, L. (2017). Genesis of modern dance: History, features, and representatives. Paradigm of Knowledge, 3(23). Retrieved from http://oaji.net/articles/2017/1739-1499797814.pdf.