Research Catalog

Title

Interview with Dani Karavan [sound recording].

Author

Karavan, Dani.

Publication

1972.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

Description

3 sound discs (ca. 88 min.) : digital, stereo; 4 3/4 in.

Summary

• Part 1, disc 1 (ca. 31 min.). Dani Karavan speaks with Don McDonagh about Martha Graham, and her fleeing Israel days before the 6 Day War; Graham visiting Jerusalem, and a mosque soldier recognizing her; working with Graham; seeing Graham's company in 1956 while he was living on a kibbutz; being shocked and thrilled by Graham's performance; being attracted to the lighting and forms being used by Graham; beginning to create sets for theater, including the army theaters in Israel; working as a painter; being approached by Graham to create a set; Graham's ability to allow the set designer create without interruption from her; touring through Europe to see cultural events, and gathering inspiration; Graham sending him the script for the Legend of Judith, and sending him gifts; Graham's use of atmosphere, and the fact that designers had to understand that aspect of Graham's work; sending sketches of his work to Graham, and communications between them concerning set pieces.
• Part 1, disc 2 (ca. 30 min.). Dani Karavan speaks with Don McDonagh about the Legend of Judith; Graham removing her shoes and dancing on the set model in his workshop; the fact that Graham's dancers become one with the set and props; when Legend of Judith was staged, the hair on his arms stood up; the composers used by Graham, including Eugene Lester; Graham's effect on audiences, and critical responses to her work; an anecdote when Graham defiantly shook her fist at an unwelcoming audience; Graham's first solo work when she was in her 30s; visiting Graham in N.Y. and seeing her apartment; Graham wanting to return to Israel, but not having funds to do so; wanting to correspond with President Nixon to have funds sent to Graham as a cultural treasure; Bethsabee de Rothschild's support of Graham; Graham's issues with alcohol, and the effects on her health; Graham using her entire savings to care for Geordie Graham while she was in the hospital.
• Part 3 (ca. 27 min.). Dani Karavan speaks with Don McDonagh about working with Graham after Legend of Judith, but Graham being unable to send a script or story for him to work from; creating sketches using Indian imagery; sending the model to Graham in N.Y. from Israel; Jean Rosenthal, and her influence on him; his first trip to N.Y.; Graham's confliction between dancing or retiring; favorite Graham works, including Clytemnestra, Acrobats of God, Cave of the heart, and Appalachian spring; Isamu Noguchi, and his influence on his work; Graham's influence on the dramatic arts.

Subjects

• Karavan, Dani > Interviews
• Graham, Martha > Influence
• Set designers
• Legend of Judith (Choreographic work : Graham)
• Martha Graham Dance Company

Note

• Interview with Dani Karavan conducted by Don McDonagh on March 31, 1972.
• Each disc ends abruptly.
• Open as of August 22, 2012.

Funding (note)

• Recording was preserved through a grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

Source (note)

• Don McDonagh;

Call Number

*MGZTL 4-2540

OCLC

262557946

Author

Karavan, Dani. Interviewee

Title

Interview with Dani Karavan [sound recording].

Imprint

1972.

Funding

Recording was preserved through a grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

Local Note

Archive orig. : *MGZTCO 3-2540, nos. 1-2

Dubbing master : *MGZTD 4-2540, nos. 1-3

Source

Gift; Don McDonagh; 2007

Added Author

McDonagh, Don. Donor

Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

Research Call Number

*MGZTL 4-2540 sound disc