Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring: Library Edition

Greenberg, Jan; Jordan, Sandra

ISBN 10: 145587731X ISBN 13: 9781455877317

Publisher: Brilliance Audio, 2012

Synopsis

In 1944 the modern American ballet Appalachian Spring premiered at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. The collaborators behind the performance anxiously awaited the critical response to their artistic achievement: would the world understand what they had done?In Ballet for Martha, the journey to this stage and the success shared among choreographer Martha Graham, composer Aaron Copland and artist Isamu Noguchi is expressively captured by acclaimed children’s book authors Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan. Together they tell the exceptional story of the collaborative efforts behind the creation of Appalachian Spring. Martha Graham, famous American dancer and pioneering choreographer, ignited the process with her innovative dance routines and desire to create a ballet that would represent America. With Martha’s spirit and choreography in mind, Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Aaron Copland built upon the melodies of an old Shaker hymn to create the original score. He titled it simply Ballet for Martha. Upon Martha’s request, artist Isamu Noguchi created the stage design for the ballet, using a simple and angular style that reflected the movements of Martha’s choreography.This story, first chronicled in the award-winning book, is now brought to life in an original audiobook production by Brilliance Audio. Acclaimed actress Sarah Jessica Parker captures the voices and emotions of Martha Graham, Aaron Copland, and Isamu Noguchi as they work together to produce the dance, score, and set of this beloved American ballet. Accompanying the narration is a full performance by the Seattle Symphony of the very score which fueled and inspired the ballet. Listeners will be delighted by the layered collaborations brought together in this audio production. From the three trail-blazing artists who labored to capture America through lyrical movement, lilting melody, and avant-garde design, to the literary, vocal, and orchestral talents of today, Ballet for Martha is a beautiful, musical journey for listeners of all ages.

About this title

Review:

This splendid behind-the-scenes story succeeds on all counts .Intelligent and inspiring, [it] makes tangible the glory of true collaboration. "San Francisco Chronicle"

"Ballet for Martha" offers a close-up look at the creative process. It's also a rare glimpse into collaboration...Greenberg and Jordan clearly value a good partnership, having worked together for many years. Their impressive alliance is further boosted here by Brian Floca's line-and-watercolor illustrations; his expressive portraits and scenes are as appealing as the well-chosen details of the narrative. "The Washington Post"

Using spare, concise sentences, the authors echo Graham's approach to dance: like the movements in her choreography, nothing is wasted, and in such exactness lies the beauty .Floca's fluid, energetic line-and-watercolor illustrations echo the plain boldness of Graham's choreography and make readers feel almost as if they were present at the inaugural performance of Appalachian Spring at the Library of Congress in 1944 [a] remarkable book. "Horn Book Review (STARRED)"

In this book disparate elements come together. Matching the mood of Graham's moves, the writing is pared down but full of possibilities. Floca's ink-and-watercolor artwork nimbly shifts from the prosaic (Copland reading Graham's script) to the visionary (a bride and groom on the open prairie) to the several-spread finale of the ballet itself. The book as a whole beautifully captures the process of artistic creation what readers will surely want after putting this down is to see and hear Appalachian Spring for themselves. "Booklist (STARRED)"

Through the use of active sentences in the present tense and brief quotes, the authors convey the excitement and drama of the creative process and the triumph of the ballet. Floca, a multiple Sibert Award honoree for his prowess in depicting the technical worlds of spaceships and lightships, here uses watercolor and pen-and-ink in a glorious depiction of modern dance movement, with its quiet hand gestures, dramatic leg kicks and the swirl of dancers "fluttering, skittering, reaching up to the sky." A stunning achievement. "Kirkus (STARRED)"

Greenberg and Jordan continue to carve out their art-focused niche with this inspired book about collaboration.... In spot art and full-bleed scenes, Floca's muted, elegantly composed watercolors capture Noguchi's avant-garde set and the posture and movement of the dancers. Capturing the drama of dance, music, and stage design in a two-dimensional format is no easy feat, but this team does it with a noteworthy grace of their own. "Publishers Weekly (STARRED)"

If Martha Graham's choreography for 'Appalachian Spring' was a 'valentine" to the world, as critics wrote in 1944, then this book is a love letter in return. Simple, poetic prose tells the story of the creation of one of the world's most-loved ballets and compositions, and Floca's graceful watercolor illustrations take admirers through every part of its development...The authors researched extensively but found a way to crystallize all of the information into a gem that is approachable for young readers. "School Library Journal (STARRED)"

The dancers all read the advance copy of Ballet for Martha and were charmed, thrilled, blown away, delighted, etc, etc! We all love it! "Janet Eilber, Artistic, Director of the Martha Graham Center""

This splendid behind-the-scenes story succeeds on all counts .Intelligent and inspiring, [it] makes tangible the glory of true collaboration. San Francisco Chronicle

Ballet for Martha offers a close-up look at the creative process. It's also a rare glimpse into collaboration...Greenberg and Jordan clearly value a good partnership, having worked together for many years. Their impressive alliance is further boosted here by Brian Floca's line-and-watercolor illustrations; his expressive portraits and scenes are as appealing as the well-chosen details of the narrative. The Washington Post

Using spare, concise sentences, the authors echo Graham's approach to dance: like the movements in her choreography, nothing is wasted, and in such exactness lies the beauty .Floca's fluid, energetic line-and-watercolor illustrations echo the plain boldness of Graham's choreography and make readers feel almost as if they were present at the inaugural performance of Appalachian Spring at the Library of Congress in 1944 [a] remarkable book. Horn Book Review (STARRED)

In this book disparate elements come together. Matching the mood of Graham's moves, the writing is pared down but full of possibilities. Floca's ink-and-watercolor artwork nimbly shifts from the prosaic (Copland reading Graham's script) to the visionary (a bride and groom on the open prairie) to the several-spread finale of the ballet itself. The book as a whole beautifully captures the process of artistic creation what readers will surely want after putting this down is to see and hear Appalachian Spring for themselves. Booklist (STARRED)

Through the use of active sentences in the present tense and brief quotes, the authors convey the excitement and drama of the creative process and the triumph of the ballet. Floca, a multiple Sibert Award honoree for his prowess in depicting the technical worlds of spaceships and lightships, here uses watercolor and pen-and-ink in a glorious depiction of modern dance movement, with its quiet hand gestures, dramatic leg kicks and the swirl of dancers "fluttering, skittering, reaching up to the sky." A stunning achievement. Kirkus (STARRED)

Greenberg and Jordan continue to carve out their art-focused niche with this inspired book about collaboration.... In spot art and full-bleed scenes, Floca's muted, elegantly composed watercolors capture Noguchi's avant-garde set and the posture and movement of the dancers. Capturing the drama of dance, music, and stage design in a two-dimensional format is no easy feat, but this team does it with a noteworthy grace of their own. Publishers Weekly (STARRED)

If Martha Graham's choreography for 'Appalachian Spring' was a 'valentine" to the world, as critics wrote in 1944, then this book is a love letter in return. Simple, poetic prose tells the story of the creation of one of the world's most-loved ballets and compositions, and Floca's graceful watercolor illustrations take admirers through every part of its development...The authors researched extensively but found a way to crystallize all of the information into a gem that is approachable for young readers. School Library Journal (STARRED)

The dancers all read the advance copy of Ballet for Martha and were charmed, thrilled, blown away, delighted, etc, etc! We all love it! Janet Eilber, Artistic, Director of the Martha Graham Center

"

"This splendid behind-the-scenes story succeeds on all counts....Intelligent and inspiring, [it] makes tangible the glory of true collaboration." --San Francisco Chronicle

"Ballet for Martha offers a close-up look at the creative process. It's also a rare glimpse into collaboration...Greenberg and Jordan clearly value a good partnership, having worked together for many years. Their impressive alliance is further boosted here by Brian Floca's line-and-watercolor illustrations; his expressive portraits and scenes are as appealing as the well-chosen details of the narrative." --The Washington Post

"Using spare, concise sentences, the authors echo Graham's approach to dance: like the movements in her choreography, nothing is wasted, and in such exactness lies the beauty....Floca's fluid, energetic line-and-watercolor illustrations echo the plain boldness of Graham's choreography and make readers feel almost as if they were present at the inaugural performance of Appalachian Spring at the Library of Congress in 1944...[a] remarkable book." --Horn Book Review (STARRED)

"In this book...disparate elements come together. Matching the mood of Graham's moves, the writing is pared down but full of possibilities. Floca's ink-and-watercolor artwork nimbly shifts from the prosaic (Copland reading Graham's script) to the visionary (a bride and groom on the open prairie) to the several-spread finale of the ballet itself. The book as a whole beautifully captures the process of artistic creation...what readers will surely want after putting this down is to see and hear Appalachian Spring for themselves." --Booklist (STARRED)

"Through the use of active sentences in the present tense and brief quotes, the authors convey the excitement and drama of the creative process and the triumph of the ballet. Floca, a multiple Sibert Award honoree for his prowess in depicting the technical worlds of spaceships and lightships, here uses watercolor and pen-and-ink in a glorious depiction of modern dance movement, with its quiet hand gestures, dramatic leg kicks and the swirl of dancers "fluttering, skittering, reaching up to the sky." A stunning achievement." --Kirkus (STARRED)

"Greenberg and Jordan continue to carve out their art-focused niche with this inspired book about collaboration.... In spot art and full-bleed scenes, Floca's muted, elegantly composed watercolors capture Noguchi's avant-garde set and the posture and movement of the dancers. Capturing the drama of dance, music, and stage design in a two-dimensional format is no easy feat, but this team does it with a noteworthy grace of their own." --Publishers Weekly (STARRED)

"If Martha Graham's choreography for 'Appalachian Spring' was a 'valentine" to the world, as critics wrote in 1944, then this book is a love letter in return. Simple, poetic prose tells the story of the creation of one of the world's most-loved ballets and compositions, and Floca's graceful watercolor illustrations take admirers through every part of its development...The authors researched extensively but found a way to crystallize all of the information into a gem that is approachable for young readers." --School Library Journal (STARRED)

"The dancers all read the advance copy of Ballet for Martha and were charmed, thrilled, blown away, delighted, etc, etc! We all love it!" --Janet Eilber, Artistic, Director of the Martha Graham Center

About the Author:

JAN GREENBERG and SANDRA JORDAN are the authors of many distinguished books about art, including ACTION JACKSON and CHRISTO AND JEANNE-CLAUDE: Through the Gates and Beyond. Ms. Greenberg lives in St. Louis, MO. Ms. Jordan lives in New York, NY.

BRIAN FLOCA has written and/or illustrated over a dozen books, including MOONSHOT: The Flight of Apollo 11 and LIGHTSHIP (Sibert Award Honor Books). A native of Texas, Brian lives in Brooklyn, NY.

About this edition

• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 145587731X
• ISBN 13: 9781455877317
• Binding: Audio CD