This is one of the most beautifully photographed of all dance films. The wonderful Noguchi set, so beautifully lit.... the editing and camera angles so meaningfully conceived, fully understanding the choreography, yet not just a static "fishbowl" view as is so often done for archival purposes. And the original 13-instrument version of the music IS so much more in character with the simple modest character of the piece. Wonderful all around.
Fantastic and amazing. The set is identical to the version filmed in 1944. But complete and clear. According to the IMDB, Martha Graham was born in 1894, which would have made her 64 at the time of this performance. Portraying a woman in her late teens or early twenties. Superb. An American ballet if there ever was.
It is so wonderful that we can see Martha dance her own choreography -- to actually see her vision, not someone elses' interpretation more than 50 years after she performed it. Thank you, thank you, thank you for bringing us this gift.
I saw this once many years ago and I thought it was just great. Today I found it here and was just blown away with it. True, I admit I'm not cultured enough to understand everyrthing in the dance but, I just loved the misic, the movements and the dancers themselves. This, in my mind, is an absolutely brilliant piece of work and i will enjoy it over and over again for some time to come. The preacher did a great job and was my favorite.
I believe both Kate Bush and David Bowie studied dance with Martha Graham(I think so anyway). When I watch "Running up that Hill", I can see Martha's style in Kate's movement.
I don't get it, probably for lack of culture, but I don't understand this art form. All I see is people twirling and hopping about. I'm not trying to insult the piece, on the contrary I would be very grateful if somebody enlightened me.
@SuzyCheeseSteak You don't have to 'get' anything if you don't want to. If you just find the music, movement or story beautiful that's fine enough...or, even if you don't think it's beautiful, as long as it makes you 'feel' something, it's accomplished its goal. That's the great thing about it. :-)
Most people appreciate Martha's work because of the context - she is to dance what Picasso was to painting or sculpture. She broke many, many 'rules' and re-defined what people think of as movement.
@SuzyCheeseSteak Congratulations on your bold wondering! josjuajeffery above gives a good answer. About the only thing you need to start to appreciate it is have a sense of, "This is cool, I want to get it!"... Ask yourself the question, if I wanted to show feelings, joy, trepidation, etc., about marriage and relationship but all I could do is have people move around on a stage, how would I have them move to convey those feelings and meanings to the audience...Ms. Graham gives one answer...
Yes! Google brought me here. I was reminiscing when I took a master class with Takako Asakawa at the New York studio, and saw an 80 something Martha Graham emerge from her office. Dignified, unsmiling, but very attentive watching us. Will never forget that. An incredible woman and American icon.
Her work is so beautiful...so passionately expressive; what an artist! Kudos to her entire company as it continues to perform today. Google did bring me here. Thank you for posting; I'll make sure to share this!
@yusefendure Bless you friend, with all my heart I mean that... much love to you and all of those that you know, friends, family, enemies and strangers you meet, may your light shine bright as you walk in love, always and .. forever.
@xavtron I couldn't disagree more (although I'm really not trying to put you down for your comment). I love the simplicity of the piece which mirrors the Shaker theme throughout. Technicolor was around during the time this was filmed, so I can only imagine that it was down in black and white deliberately. The cinematography is excellent, with vivid contrast and a beautiful starkness.
@karinablacktie I see what you're saying this is still filmed very very well, I still like to see a version set against the amazing appalachian landscape as well as this
@karinablacktie Actually, it's in black and white because this was originally shown on television in 1958 - at a time when very few people had color television sets. (Color televisions weren't really in wide use until the mid-late 60s.)
@rebecca8273 Point taken. I still like it in black and white, but I tend to like black and white photography also, especially when it's done with good contrast like this production. I hadn't realized this was shown on tv in 1958. Serves me right for not looking at more of the description.
I thought I told you to go fuck yourself. Do it right now and then try to come up with a better response than the last one. I'm gving you the last word, so make it a good one,
@kdavisification the day your mom's dick touching ur dad's vagina to poop you out is a sad day for humanity. "go fuck yourself" means... what? does it mean to witness the travesty of your mommy and daddy procreating? that's truly why you "hate life." now leave the dance alone.
@woof3x My God why don't you leave this guy alone. You are obviously quite disturbed, All he said was he felt good after watching this video. If you'll check 4 other people gave him thumbs up for his comment. I don't want to hurt your feelings but he may be right by suggesting to go fuck yourself.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
@jeeeeeeeeeeery who the FUCK do u think u are for saying anything to me? the douche said he "hate[s] life"--very puffed up, hyperbolic language; not merely he likes the dance. divide ur attention equally to what u read, u 'tard. how about u and he go fuck yourselves and leave the dance alone.
@19arcadia This isn't the 1944 premiere, It's a 1959 performance. Graham was born in 1894. Do the math :-) It's more inspiring to watch, knowing she's in her mid-sixties.
Fascinating observation. Many people disliked Graham (and still do) for the jerkiness of her choreography--but if you watch this all, you can see that there is still so much ballet in what she does.
This brings back so many happy thoughts, being in dance school watching this for the first time.
thorpe789 1 month ago
I just love how the 4 women are "a group" but they're also individualized. The way it plays in and out of this is so marvelous.
AndrewRudin 1 month ago
This is one of the most beautifully photographed of all dance films. The wonderful Noguchi set, so beautifully lit.... the editing and camera angles so meaningfully conceived, fully understanding the choreography, yet not just a static "fishbowl" view as is so often done for archival purposes. And the original 13-instrument version of the music IS so much more in character with the simple modest character of the piece. Wonderful all around.
AndrewRudin 1 month ago
This literally brought a tear to my eye.
niceguy504277 3 months ago 2
Fantastic and amazing. The set is identical to the version filmed in 1944. But complete and clear. According to the IMDB, Martha Graham was born in 1894, which would have made her 64 at the time of this performance. Portraying a woman in her late teens or early twenties. Superb. An American ballet if there ever was.
gjvalent 3 months ago 2
Thank you! Speechless!
BananaChong 5 months ago
It is so wonderful that we can see Martha dance her own choreography -- to actually see her vision, not someone elses' interpretation more than 50 years after she performed it. Thank you, thank you, thank you for bringing us this gift.
AnotherSpecialEdMom 6 months ago 2
I saw this once many years ago and I thought it was just great. Today I found it here and was just blown away with it. True, I admit I'm not cultured enough to understand everyrthing in the dance but, I just loved the misic, the movements and the dancers themselves. This, in my mind, is an absolutely brilliant piece of work and i will enjoy it over and over again for some time to come. The preacher did a great job and was my favorite.
Thank you for bringing this to me!
Reggie1010101 7 months ago 2
thumbs up if google DIDN'T bring you here...copland and graham are visionarys
sh1tlips4 9 months ago 12
I believe both Kate Bush and David Bowie studied dance with Martha Graham(I think so anyway). When I watch "Running up that Hill", I can see Martha's style in Kate's movement.
musikgal17 9 months ago
brilliant
StephISCaptainPlanet 9 months ago
I don't get it, probably for lack of culture, but I don't understand this art form. All I see is people twirling and hopping about. I'm not trying to insult the piece, on the contrary I would be very grateful if somebody enlightened me.
SuzyCheeseSteak 9 months ago
@SuzyCheeseSteak You don't have to 'get' anything if you don't want to. If you just find the music, movement or story beautiful that's fine enough...or, even if you don't think it's beautiful, as long as it makes you 'feel' something, it's accomplished its goal. That's the great thing about it. :-)
Most people appreciate Martha's work because of the context - she is to dance what Picasso was to painting or sculpture. She broke many, many 'rules' and re-defined what people think of as movement.
joshuajeffery 9 months ago 2
@SuzyCheeseSteak Congratulations on your bold wondering! josjuajeffery above gives a good answer. About the only thing you need to start to appreciate it is have a sense of, "This is cool, I want to get it!"... Ask yourself the question, if I wanted to show feelings, joy, trepidation, etc., about marriage and relationship but all I could do is have people move around on a stage, how would I have them move to convey those feelings and meanings to the audience...Ms. Graham gives one answer...
verstengenericks 9 months ago
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SuzyCheeseSteak 9 months ago
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SuzyCheeseSteak 9 months ago
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SuzyCheeseSteak 9 months ago
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SuzyCheeseSteak 9 months ago
i performed this piece in china =) it's really pretty and its really gratifying and mesmerizing to perform it
saamay1 9 months ago
Those poor girls are sitting against that wall!!
straightupBO 9 months ago
Yes! Google brought me here. I was reminiscing when I took a master class with Takako Asakawa at the New York studio, and saw an 80 something Martha Graham emerge from her office. Dignified, unsmiling, but very attentive watching us. Will never forget that. An incredible woman and American icon.
jeni323 9 months ago 4
but she doesn't dance too much...
bluerose300 9 months ago
One of the reasons I love Aaron Copland...plus Martha is beyond amazing.
angelicah1212 9 months ago
I love @6:17 she just stops right on time.
FaithWillLead 9 months ago
Thumbs up if google brought you here... :)
JesusgavemeHolySpiri 9 months ago 198
Her work is so beautiful...so passionately expressive; what an artist! Kudos to her entire company as it continues to perform today. Google did bring me here. Thank you for posting; I'll make sure to share this!
yusefendure 9 months ago
@yusefendure Bless you friend, with all my heart I mean that... much love to you and all of those that you know, friends, family, enemies and strangers you meet, may your light shine bright as you walk in love, always and .. forever.
JesusgavemeHolySpiri 9 months ago
wonderful´and stunning...
yowfpakistan 9 months ago
i get chills every time i watch this Martha Graham is a genius
gcblue18 9 months ago in playlist Copland
Commonwealth of the arts
CarlHanson74 9 months ago
Commonwealth of the ARTS!
CarlHanson74 9 months ago
Copland = amazing composer, one of his best pieces.
Graham = Amazing dancer, equally a good work.
The two together = legendary
trooptpt80 11 months ago
Thanks for the fascinating video....
Nice work!
IamHelenKeller 11 months ago
this is a work of enduring beauty and depth, with such control and quiet energy... what a find!
manoelcaraballo1 11 months ago
I think that this would be even more remarkable if it was filmed in color in an outside location
xavtron 1 year ago
@xavtron I couldn't disagree more (although I'm really not trying to put you down for your comment). I love the simplicity of the piece which mirrors the Shaker theme throughout. Technicolor was around during the time this was filmed, so I can only imagine that it was down in black and white deliberately. The cinematography is excellent, with vivid contrast and a beautiful starkness.
karinablacktie 11 months ago
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@karinablacktie I see what you're saying this is still filmed very very well, I still like to see a version set against the amazing appalachian landscape as well as this
xavtron 11 months ago
@karinablacktie Actually, it's in black and white because this was originally shown on television in 1958 - at a time when very few people had color television sets. (Color televisions weren't really in wide use until the mid-late 60s.)
rebecca8273 11 months ago
@rebecca8273 Point taken. I still like it in black and white, but I tend to like black and white photography also, especially when it's done with good contrast like this production. I hadn't realized this was shown on tv in 1958. Serves me right for not looking at more of the description.
karinablacktie 10 months ago
Martha Graham one of a kind. She will live forever.
marakazo1 1 year ago
Martha lives on 4 ever... she loved me!
WorldDanceAllianceEU 1 year ago
Spare and elegant.
wpariah 1 year ago
Graham was just 50 when the ballet premiered.
MrRhickok1109 1 year ago
The beauty of the music and the dance. It's pure joy
michaelteipner 1 year ago
Maravilloso
JuStiTANa 1 year ago
I hate life, but when I watch this I feel good again
kdavisification 1 year ago 10
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@kdavisification oh lord. such hyperbole. the dance is good on its own, no need for your ridiculously augmented speech.
woof3x 1 year ago
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@woof3x Please fuck yourself until you realize that no one cares for a pedantic cunt such as you.
kdavisification 1 year ago
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@kdavisification i hate life until i see a message such as kdavisfication again. oh god help us!
woof3x 1 year ago
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@woof3x
I thought I told you to go fuck yourself. Do it right now and then try to come up with a better response than the last one. I'm gving you the last word, so make it a good one,
kdavisification 1 year ago
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@kdavisification the day your mom's dick touching ur dad's vagina to poop you out is a sad day for humanity. "go fuck yourself" means... what? does it mean to witness the travesty of your mommy and daddy procreating? that's truly why you "hate life." now leave the dance alone.
woof3x 1 year ago
@woof3x My God why don't you leave this guy alone. You are obviously quite disturbed, All he said was he felt good after watching this video. If you'll check 4 other people gave him thumbs up for his comment. I don't want to hurt your feelings but he may be right by suggesting to go fuck yourself.
jeeeeeeeeeeery 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
@jeeeeeeeeeeery who the FUCK do u think u are for saying anything to me? the douche said he "hate[s] life"--very puffed up, hyperbolic language; not merely he likes the dance. divide ur attention equally to what u read, u 'tard. how about u and he go fuck yourselves and leave the dance alone.
woof3x 1 year ago
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@kdavisification oh lord. such hyperbole. the dance is good on its own, no need for your ridiculously augmented speech.
woof3x 1 year ago
One of America's greatest choreographers and one of America's greatest composers. How wonderful that they often worked together.
momscouter 1 year ago 2
How wonderful to see the whole of it with Graham herself who must have been 60 at least. A monumental work of american art. thankyou
Khymy 1 year ago 29
@Khymy she wasn't 60 in 1944. she was much younger.
19arcadia 1 year ago
@19arcadia This isn't the 1944 premiere, It's a 1959 performance. Graham was born in 1894. Do the math :-) It's more inspiring to watch, knowing she's in her mid-sixties.
wesleyan97 1 year ago
@Khymy I looked it up and she was apparently 65!!
caribez 1 year ago
The action is too much often broken.
tommyrall3 2 years ago
@tommyrall3
Fascinating observation. Many people disliked Graham (and still do) for the jerkiness of her choreography--but if you watch this all, you can see that there is still so much ballet in what she does.
maxreger100 7 months ago