A Dancer's Death

[George K]

Many years ago (12?), I went to a concert - I think it was the Milwaukee Symphony - where one of the pieces was Aaron Copland's "Appalachian Spring." There's an interesting history to that piece...but I digress.

THe next morning, I looked for ballet versions of Appalachian Spring, and I came across this version.

Link to video

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

I don't remember how or why, but I found that Stuart Hodes was on FB. I reached out and sent a message to him on how much I enjoyed the music in the concert and how much his dancing in this video brought it to life.

He was kind enough to reply to me and thank me for my comments.

I see that he passed away last year at the age of 98.

RIP, Dancer-Man.

[Mik]

I really like Copeland. The Cincinnati Symphony is doing Fanfare, etc. next year with an immersive light show of some sort. I think we will go.

[George K]

You should listen to some of his piano music. I really enjoy the "Four Blues." A teacher I had wanted me to learn to piano sonata, but it didn't grab me.

The problem with "Fanfare" is that it is SO overplayed. Every time I hear the 3rd symphony, and that theme is played, I think, "Oh, again..."