Appalachian Spring

Appalachian Spring is a ballet by Aaron Copland that premiered in October 1944, and achieved widespread popularity as an orchestral suite. The ballet, scored for a thirteen-member chamber orchestra, was created at the request of choreographer and dancer Martha Graham and commissioned by Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge. While writing the work over the course of a year, Copland wrote that it was somewhat foolish to do as a ballet and their corresponding scores were historically short-lived. Copland was awarded the 1945 Pulitzer Prize for Music for the ballet.

References

• Kamien, Roger. Music: An Appreciation. Mcgraw-Hill College; 3rd edition (August 1, 1997) ISBN 0070365210
• RI Philharmonic program notes. Retrieved May 16, 2005.
• Aaron Copland Collection: Works List. Retrieved May 16, 2005.
• DeLapp, Jennifer. The Aaron Copland Centennial: Program Notes. Retrieved May 16, 2005.
• Appalachian Spring. Dance Pages. Retrieved May 17, 2005.
• Ledbetter, Steven. Copland, Appalachian Spring. Pro Arte, 1996. Retrieved May 17, 2005.
• Scher, Valerie. "A 'fortuitous collaboration' led to 'Appalachian Spring'". The San Diego Union Tribune, March 6, 2005. Retrieved May 17, 2005.
• Mack, Linda. St. Joseph Pro Musica Program Notes. May 31, 1992. Retrieved May 18, 2005.