Research Catalog

Title

Interview with Rina Schenfeld [sound recording].

Author

Schenfeld, Rina.

Publication

1972.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

Description

2 sound discs (ca. 62 min.) : digital, stereo; 4 3/4 in.

Summary

• Part 1, disc 1 (ca. 31 min.). Rina Schenfeld speaks with Don McDonagh about her dance history, training as a classical dancer, and later modern dance; seeing Rena Gluck and Martha Graham dance; studying at Juilliard; forming a dance company in Tel Aviv; Bethsabee de Rothschild, and her dance company in Israel; using Graham's dances as a foundation for the Israel company; starting Graham-influenced company in 1964, and dancing sections of Clytemnestra that Graham had arranged specifically for the Israeli dancers; Graham's students going to Israel to teach the students, including Linda Hodes, Robert Cohan, Yuriko, and Ethel Winter; the success of the performances in Israel; performances being subscription-based; scenes and props used by the Israel company for their dances.
• Part 1, disc 2 (ca. 31 min.). Rina Schenfeld speaks with Don McDonagh about learning Martha Graham's dances from senior Graham dancers; May O'Donnell, and her physical characteristics; the difference between early and later Graham dancers; using O'Donnell's movement as her model when dancing the Graham dances; Graham's teaching methods, and the way she would explain the quality of the parts; Graham's step sequences, and learning the steps and the reasons behind the steps; attention given to costuming; Graham not sewing or making costumes in Israel; learning Diversion of angels while in N.Y.; Graham's discussions of the quality of movement, and the role of both male and female dancers; the use of the back of the body, and the fact that Graham viewed it as distinct side of one's personality; never dancing alone due to the fact that the weight of the memory of others stays with you; Graham's interest in the Israeli dancers, and her presence there during the first few years; an anecdote about Graham designing a costume for a piece that Rina choreographed, one that was modeled from bird wings, and how beautiful it was; the fact that Graham would visit Israel 3-4 times per year; Graham attending auditions, and recommending students for the company; wanting to keep Graham's dances alive for other people to learn them.

Subjects

• Graham, Martha > Clytemnestra
• Rothschild, Bethsabée de, Baroness
• Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance
• O'Donnell, May, 1906-2004 > Influence
• Schenfeld, Rina > Interviews
• Graham, Martha > Influence
• Lahaḳat ha-maḥol Bat-Shevaʻ
• Martha Graham Dance Company

Note

• Interview with Rina Schenfeld conducted by Don McDonagh on March 30, 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 4-2563

OCLC

262558485

Author

Schenfeld, Rina. Interviewee

Title

Interview with Rina Schenfeld [sound recording].

Imprint

1972.

Funding

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

Local Note

Archive orig. : *MGZTCO 3-2563

Dubbing master : *MGZTD 4-2563, nos. 1-2

Source

Gift; Don McDonagh; 2007

Added Author

McDonagh, Don. Donor

Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

Research Call Number

*MGZTL 4-2563 sound disc