M
From "Maid with the Flaxen Hair" to "Mouvement de Menuet" (5 works)
- Maid with the Flaxen Hair
- 1926
Performed to music by Claude Debussy, Maid with the Flaxen Hair premiered on April 18, 1926, at New York's 48th Street Theater. The solo work was performed by Martha Graham and was part of the program for her first independent concert. A review in the April 24, 1926, issue of Musical America said that Graham's art is "in the last analysis, an art of mime and posture, varying radically from the old-time ballet school, as well as from the 'expressive' school of Duncan and others."
- The Marionette Show
- 1926
Performed to music by Eugene Goossens, the work premiered on April 18, 1926, at New York's 48th Street Theater. The cast list included Thelma Biracree, Evelyn Sabin, and Betty Macdonald and was part Graham's first independent concert. In its April 24, 1926, review of the performance Musical America said that the three young performers "made a particularly strong impression … [in a symbolic piece, portraying a tragic love triangle, enacted with jerky, puppet-like movements." The writer also noted that the audience so enjoyed the performance that the dance was repeated.
- Masques
- 1926
Performed to music by Louis Horst, Masques premiered on April 18, 1926, at New York's 48th Street Theater. The solo work was performed by Martha Graham and was part of her first independent concert. In reviewing the performance, the New York Tribune reported on April 19, 1926, "Miss Graham gave a successful performance, showing ability to present a mood or a picture, with assets of grace, agility, effective poses and well-chosen costumes."
- Moment Rustica
- 1929
Performed to music by Francis Poulenc, Moment Rustica (also known as Rustica) premiered on April 14, 1929, at New York's Booth Theatre. The work was performed by Graham's Group. The April 14, 1929, performance marked the debut of Graham's concert ensemble, known as Martha Graham and Group.) The New York Herald Tribune (April 15, 1929) noted that "Miss Graham's puckish humor and piquant use of the grotesque were delightfully projected though the Moment Rustica."
- Mouvement de Menuet
- 1927
Performed to music by Maurice Ravel, Mouvement de Menuet premiered on August 2, 1927, at the Anderson-Milton School in New York.Graham did not dance in this program that featured students from the school. Mouvement de Menuet was danced by Graham student Benice Michaelson and Graham dancers Evelyn Sabin, Betty Macdonald, and Rosina Savelli.