Martha Graham changed the way we think about dance, as much as Igor Stravinsky did with music, and Pablo Picasso with his paintings and sculpture. Her choreography was born out of a close relationship to fresh-off-the-page music: she commissioned ballets from American composers Samuel Barber, Aaron Copland, and Louis Horst— whose music would be all but forgotten if it were not for archival films of Graham’s early dances like her 1931 Primitive Mysteries. She lived a long, passionate life and her ashes are scattered across the Sangre de Cristo mountain range above Santa Fe, New Mexico. There they mingle with the memories of so many artists from her generation.
Martha Graham and her Music
Playlist
Episode 1
Copland, Aaron: Appalachian Spring
Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra/ Leonard Bernstein
Appalachian Spring
DG 413 324-2
3:10
Schumann, Robert: Novelette, Op. 21: No. 1, in F
Arthur Rubinstein; Harold Hagopian, pianos
Carnaval, Fantasiestücke, Romance Op. 28 No. 2, Novelette No. 1, Nachtstück No. 4
RCA Red Seal 09026 63020
5:36
Horst, Louis: Primitive Mysteries
Louis Horst. Piano, Flute n/a
Martha Graham Dance Company Archive
1:00
Scriabin, Alexander: Lugubre Op.51 Nr.2
Davor Kajfes, piano
Dialogues with Scriabin
Headspin Recordings – HEAD 019
3:35
Riegger, Wallingford: New Dance, Op. 18b
Leopold Stokowski Symphony Orchestra/ Leopold Stokowsk
Symphony No. 9 In E Minor – Mysterious Mountain – New Dance – Toccata
Cala CACD0539
5:55
Hindemith, Paul: Herodiade
Atlantic Sinfonietta/ Andrew Schenck
More Music for Martha Graham
Koch 7051
19:19
Joio, Norman Dello: Diversion of Angels, Con Anima Ma Serioso; Con Brio
The Atlantic Sinfonietta/Edvard Tchivzhel
Music of Martha Graham 3
Koch 3-7167-2
10:04
Scriabin, Alexander: Lugubre Op.51 Nr.2 (excerpt)
Davor Kajfes, piano
Dialogues with Scriabin
Headspin Recordings – HEAD 019
1:10
Episode 2
Cowell, Henry: Set of Five: III. Andante IV. Presto leggiero
Continuum Ensemble
Henry Cowell: Continuum Portrait 2
Naxos 8.559193
9:52
Menotti, Giancarlo: Errand Into the Maze
Andrew Schenck: Atlantic Sinfonietta
More Music for Martha Graham
Koch 7051
14:35
Dello Joio, Norman: The Triumph of St. Joan,
I. The Maid: Adagio, Molto Espressivo
II. The Warrior: Molto Appassionata
III. The Saint: Andante
The Atlantic Sinfonietta – Edvard Tchivzhel
Music of Martha Graham 3
Koch 3-7167-2
9:19
Episode 3
Barber, Samuel: Cave of the Heart (excerpt)
Atlantic Sinfonietta/ Andrew Schenck
Samuel Barber Cave of the Heart (Medea)
Koch 7019
1:45
Barber, Samuel: Cave of the Heart (Medea)
Medea Solo
Chorus: Jason And Princess
-Medea’s Dance Of Vengeance
– Exodus
Atlantic Sinfonietta/ Andrew Schenck
Samuel Barber Cave of the Heart (Medea)
Koch 7019
20:09
Schuman, William: Night Journey
Atlantic Sinfonietta/ Andrew Schenck
More Music for Martha Graham
Koch 7051
28:53
Episode 4
Milhaud, Darius: La Cheminée du Roi René (excerpt)
The New York Woodwind Quintet
Darius Milhaud: La Cheminee Du Roi Rene, Two Sketches.
Jacques Ibert: Trois Pieces Breves. Paul Hindemith: Kleine Kammermusik
Angel Records 35079
:30
Webern, Anton: Musical Offering, BWV 1079: Fuga A 6 Voci
Seiji Ozawa: Boston Symphony Orchestra
20th Century Bach – Virtuoso Orchestral Transcriptions
Philips 432 092-2
8:35
Webern, Anton: Passacaglia For Orchestra Op. 1
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Herbert Von Karajan
Passacaglia • Variations Op. 31 • 3 Pieces from The “Lyric Suite”
• 3 Pieces for Orchestra Op. 6
DG 457 760-2
12:17
Chávez, Carlos: Suite De Caballos De Vapor, (Horse Power) Suite –
III. El Trópico, The Tropics
Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela/ Eduardo Mata
Latin American Ballets
Dorian Recordings DOR 90211
8:03
Hovhaness, Alan: The Flute Player of the Armenian Mountains:
l. Kurd Isakin
Alan Hovhaness, piano, Ara Berberian, voice
Songs by Alan Hovhaness, Vol 2
Crystal Records CD 816
3:16
Hovhaness, Alan: Mount Katahdin, Op. 405: III. Jhala of Larch Trees – Allegro
Martin Berkofsky, Alan Hovhaness
Music of Alan Hovhaness
Crystal Records CD 814
5:05
Hovhaness, Alan: The Spirit of Ink: VII. Angelic Salutation
Alan Hovhaness, Samuel Baron
Symphony No. 23 “Ani”; The Spirit of Ink Highline and
Shoreline College Bands & Samuel Baron
Crystal Records 809
3:48
Starer, Robert: Sketches in Color: Purple, Chrome Yellow, Pepper and Salt
Sahan Arzruni
Childhood Memories: Music for Younger Pianists
New World Records 80590 2
3:18
Milhaud, Darius: La Cheminée du Roi René (The Chimney of King Rene)
a. Madrigal – Nocturne
b. La Maousinglade Valabre (Hunting at Valabre)
The New York Woodwind Quintet
Darius Milhaud: La Cheminee Du Roi Rene, Two Sketches.
Jacques Ibert: Trois Pieces Breves. Paul Hindemith: Kleine Kammermusik
Angel Records 35079
4:40
Episode 5
Schuman, William: Judith (A Choreographic Poem for Orchestra):
I. Adagio
II. Moderato
III. Tranquillo
The Louisville Orchestra & Robert Whitney
Symphony No. 4/ Prayer in Time of War/ Judith
First Edition Music FECD 0011
10:15
Copland, Aaron: Appalachian Spring
Leonard Bernstein: Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra
Appalachian Spring
DG 413 324-2
26:36
McGlaughlin, William: Aaron’s Horizons
Aaron’s Horizons
11:53
Scriabin, Alexander: Lugubre Op.51 Nr.2 (excerpt)
Davor Kajfes, piano
Dialogues with Scriabin
Headspin Recordings – HEAD 019
3:35