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.
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"Reads almost as if it were written in verse. The prose is musical and has a cadence to it despite a lack of rhyme. A simple, eloquent book about realizing one's artistic vision. A good read-aloud for a music class. This is the type of book that will be just right for the right child. Probably not a lot of mass appeal for modern dance, but I think it will resonate deeply with those who connect with and understand it." — Kristin (5 out of 5 stars)
"Reads almost as if it were written in verse. The prose is musical and has a cadence to it despite a lack of rhyme. A simple, eloquent book about realizing one's artistic vision. A good read-aloud for a music class. This is the type of book that will be just right for the right child. Probably not a lot of mass appeal for modern dance, but I think it will resonate deeply with those who connect with and understand it."
" I honestly did not really get into the story, but I did love the pictures. This book covers the story of Martha Graham and her ballet that broke all the rules of the time. I would use this in my classroom library. "
" This is a magical book that not only celebrates three amazing artists: Martha Graham, Aaron Copland, and Isamu Noguchi, but transports you to their studios and ultimately to the premier of Appalachian Spring. "
" Very cool! I think Floca was a really good choice, even though it totally doesn't seem like it. I got a real sense of the ballet, AND it made me really want to see a performance of the ballet. "
" I had no idea who Martha was, but honestly, I thought she was a dog from a comic strip! Turns out she was a famous choreographer who collaborated with an artist and composer on a ballet called Appalachian Spring. The illustrations are so detailed and the text sparse. The sparse text fits perfectly with the concept of ballet that Martha created. "
" I loved this book from the beautiful dedication to amazing "Curtain Call". The fact that I loved the music so much it was what we played at my wedding in 1973 is no indication. Don't know if it has a chance for a Caldecott or Siebert, but the illustrations are amazing and the collaboration is touching. I can see using for teaching a myriad of lessons from music to research to character education. WOW! "
" I don't add many picture books here because there are just too many. This however is one of the many non-fiction books that I wish I had had access to as a child. "
" Spare text conveys the story so well. Well integrated quotes, stunning illustrations. "
" Gorgeous illustrations that capture the movement well, and simple, perfect text that details the creation of Martha Graham's 'Appalachian Spring.' "
" An interesting story of art, writing and collaboration. "
" Interesting book about collaboration! "
" Ballet for Martha is an inspiring story about how a dancer can go through so much to create a perfect, in her mind, routine and in return the audience hated it. Martha did not let that stop her. She continued on and choreographed a flawless routine and the audience went nuts! "
" I really like how not only did it talk about the play it gave in detail about it and how all of her ideas came to this play. I thought it was funny how the name of the play has nothing to do with the play. Overall this was a pretty good book that had lots of details. "
" This book exemplifies what art requires, in its stop-and-start creation, in its frustrations, in its joys, in its triumphs. "
" Because this book is about Martha Graham, some students may really connect with it (the dancers in your class) and some may not. I thought it was neat because I have actually seen a performance by the Martha Graham Dance Company. "
" Good book to talk about the ballet. Also a great way to talk about culture. "
" I first heard Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring in the Chautauqua Auditorium in Boulder, CO where the Chicago Children's Choir performed 'Simple Gifts'. This book has now added a new dimension, to both the music and that memory. "
" The artistry that went into the making of Appalachian Spring. Illustrations were descriptive and the story was pieced together perfectly. I'm not entirely sure of the audience, but this was an interesting read for me. "
" Magnificent! The double-page spread with Aaron Copeland sitting at his piano and the score in the background is a masterpiece!! "
" This was beautifully told and illustrated but unless you are familiar with the choreographer, the musician, the sculptor and this body of work, the story probably will not be very interesting or engaging. "
Jan Greenberg is an American author who has written many distinguished books about art and often cowrites with Sandra Jordan. Some of their most acclaimed collaborations include Action Jackson, Christo and Jean-Claude, and Ballet for Martha, which won the NCTE Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children. Both Greenberg and Jordan received the 2013 Children’s Book Guild of Washington, DC, Award for their contributions to children’s literature.
Sandra Jordan is the author of many distinguished books about art. She lives in New York.
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