Talk:Appalachian Spring

Dance vs Music

This article should probably be cut into two, or at least have two distinct sections: information concerning the dance by Martha Graham, and information concerning the musical score by Copland. As it currently stands, the article switches back and forth between the two (the dance and the score) and is, I think, confusing as a result. J. Van Meter 02:18, 23 October 2005 (UTC)

I'd second that. I've just turned to the article hoping to have some information about the Martha Graham ballet (the whole reason the score exists in the first place) only to find next to nothing, and the article going on as if the (to my mind overbloated) orchestral version was its most important incarnation and sole justification. If only I had some info to hand I'd try to do something about it. Anyone else out there? Alfietucker (talk) 19:30, 7 January 2012 (UTC)

Grammar?

This is grammatically incorrect:

The melody I borrowed and used almost literally, is called "Simple Gifts."

It should be

The melody I borrowed and used almost literally is called "Simple Gifts."

or

The melody I borrowed, and used almost literally, is called "Simple Gifts."

Is it written sic, or is it simply a misquote?

mysterd429 11/15/05 11:30 PM EST

And two years later this is still not resolved? It's unclear from the text whether Copland was describing it verbally or in print. If it was in an interview, punctuation is somewhat subjective, and I think we can correct it here (since the complaint regards misuse of punctuation, not syntax). If the description was in writing (say, in his memoirs, published commentary, etc.) I think we need to tag it "sic", or paraphrase. It is not clear at any point whether the descriptions are actual quotes anyway. Hell, I'm just going to fix the comma. If the material presented was a quote, it needs to be formatted properly to reflect this. 12.22.250.4 17:50, 22 August 2007 (UTC)

Type of dance

Appalachian Spring is not a ballet. It is a modern dance, which is very different. Martha Graham is one of THE names in the early history of modern dance.

Tasedjebbast 06:28, 24 April 2007 (UTC)Tasedjebbast

I believe you are splitting hairs. Appalachian Spring has always been described as a ballet, even by Copland himself (even in its earliest draft stages, he called it a ballet). Regardless of whether it's a "ballet" or "modern dance", when the creator of the piece and 99.9% of the musical world call it a "ballet", it's a ballet. The choreography follows after the score, so regardless of what form of dance Graham created for it, it takes the name of the score. If you can quote a single reference that states AS is a modern dance score and not a ballet, present it and change the article. 12.22.250.4 17:59, 22 August 2007 (UTC)

I offer no opinion as to whether AP is in fact a ballet or a "modern dance." However I mention as point of interest that this question does come up in one of Copland's letters, to Harold Spivacke, dated November 13, 1944, which refers to some tension between "the balletomanes and the modern dance enthusiasts," concerning AP. So the question raised here is perhaps not so quite so new. ThaddeusFrye (talk) 00:38, 3 February 2009 (UTC)

Is there even such a thing as "A modern dance"? IMO, modern dance is a style, not a denomination for a stage piece. Whereas yoou can, of course, say "a ballet". -- 14:02, 10 March 2010 (UTC)

Meaning of Spring in title of this work

I have always understood that "spring" in the title of Appalachian Spring does not refer to the season, but refers to an expanse of water, similar to a brook, rill or stream.This article hardly clarifies this and if anything, goes on to mislead people. ACEOREVIVED (talk) 17:25, 16 December 2010 (UTC)

Lord of the Dance

Should this article not include reference to the fact that it has been influenced by the hymn Lord of the Dance?ACEOREVIVED (talk) 15:18, 6 June 2013 (UTC)