Martha Graham Ensemble
The Martha Graham Ensemble was founded in 1983 by Yuriko, at the request of Graham, herself. Yuriko (who performed in the original Martha Graham Company of Contemporary Dance, 1944-1967) was given a mission: to bring fresh energy, passion and forward vision to the Graham tradition.
Despite the copyright tribulations concerning Graham's 181works in the past years, the Ensemble brings the promise of renewal through this group. The 15 young performers were precise, the patterns clear and the choreographer's intentions held dramatic attention.
Virginie Mécène (formerly a member of the Graham Company) is currently Artistic Director of the Ensemble and the Interim Director of the Martha Graham School along with Kevin Predmore, also a former MG performer. Several branches of the international School were represented from the Independent Training Program, Professional Training Program, open class enrollment and the Young Artists Program, with a special guest from the MGD Company, Oliver Tobin.
Sections from the repertory were featured on two programs including the Sarabande from "Dark Meadow," "Lamentation," "Ritual to the Sun," and the final section of "Acts of Light." The exhausting, exuberant work, "Celebration" (1934) was danced in its entirety. The "Prelude to Action," Graham's early Spanish War protest from "Chronicle" (1936), was included. In the mission to bring forward vision to the tradition, Mécène created a new work, "God, Deliver Us from War," for 9 male dancers to live cello in a work by composer, Laura Beneitez. The last program, June 3, included a celebration to the artistry of Mary Hinkson, a former member of the company with guest speaker, Donald McKayle and a media collage of Hinkson by Lawrence Scott.
The Ensemble calls upon its many former members of the Graham companies to recreate the works and although there were, as yet, no outstanding talents visible in the group, Graham's choreographic craft, as it developed through the years, her passion, theatricality and emotional thrust were more visible without the intrusion of personal interpretations.