Nashville Ballet artistic director Paul Vasterling couldn’t get over the irony that the quintessential American ballet was created during World War II by a woman, a Japanese designer and a Jewish composer. Intrigued, Vasterling decided to create his own version of Appalachian Spring, the work that choreographer Martha Graham, designer Isamu Noguchi and composer Aaron Copland made famous in the 1940s. Aside from a few changes to the narrative, Vasterling was faithful to the original. The choreography was entirely modern, and the music was performed by a chamber-sized group of 13 Nashville Symphony musicians. Seldom has this evergreen work seemed so vital and new. JOHN PITCHER
Best Modern Ballet
Nashville Ballet's Appalachian Spring
