The 1958 film of Appalachian Spring which you are viewing today, despite it’s universal acclaim  —and perhaps as a natural extension of her passion for the artform- was not Ms. Graham’s favorite rendition of this work as she was nearing the end of her performing career at the time of it’s production, and so in due consideration of the great choreographer’s sentiments we are pleased to include here two archival photos, by request and courtesy of the Martha Graham Dance Company, which were taken when she premiered the piece in 1944.

Martha Graham and May O'Donnell in
Appalachian Spring (1944)

Photo by Cris Alexander
Courtesy of Martha Graham Resources

Appalachian Spring (1944)

Martha Graham and Erick Hawkins (foreground)
May O'Donnell, Marjorie Mazia, Yuriko, Nina Fonaroff (from left to right)

Photo by Arnold Eagle

Courtesy of Martha Graham Resources