DANCE

MARTHA GRAHAM is the monstre sacre of modern dance. Her influence on the development of the modern movement in this country has been as revolutionary as Balanchine’s on the ballet. Yet last year the National Endowment for the Arts refused her a challenge grant, and Graham, who is in her ninetieth year, accused them of age discrimination. Ironically, most of the companies that did receive grants—including those of former Graham dancers Paul Taylor and Merce Cunningham—probably wouldn’t be in existence were it not for her. Her technique is used in some form or another by every modern dancer today.

The grant money she requested was to be used to maintain her present company as well as to film her repertory and stage revivals. Among the revivals to be presented at the New York State Theater this month are Embattled Garden, the lyrical Diversion of Angels, and Clytemnestra, an eveninglong work, perhaps the greatest of her classical cycle, with sets by Isamu Noguchi.

Graham also plans the world premiere of her Rite of Spring to the Stravinsky score. In Leonide Massine’s version of the ballet in 1930, Graham herself danced the role of the girl chosen to be sacrificed— an event she describes as a turning point in her life.

Martha Graham has choreographed 173 ballets in her remarkable career. For years, though, she neglected her early works—she hated seeing other dancers in her roles. Many dances were dropped, lost, or, if revived, came back homogenized. To younger audiences they looked old-fashioned.

Nevertheless, every effort should be made to preserve as many examples as possible of Graham’s choreography. One of the great artists of our century deserves at least this tribute.

MOIRA HODGSON

V.F. RECOMMENDS

PREMIERE I (UNTITLED) new ballet choreographed by Peter Martins to music by Franz Schubert, New York City Ballet, New York State Theater, February 1.

VIENNA WALTZES choreographed by George Balanchine, New York City Ballet, New York State Theater, February 4 and 5.

MURRAY LOUIS DANCE COMPANY City Center, New York, February 9-19.