<P> Appalachian Spring is a composition by Aaron Copland that premiered in 1944 and has achieved widespread and enduring popularity as an orchestral suite . The ballet, scored for a thirteen - member chamber orchestra, was created upon commission of choreographer and dancer Martha Graham with funds from the Coolidge Foundation . It premiered on Monday, October 30, 1944 at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C., with Martha Graham dancing the lead role . The set was designed by the American sculptor Isamu Noguchi . Copland was awarded the 1945 Pulitzer Prize for Music for his achievement . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Opening: Appalachian Spring, original version for 13 instruments Sample of the opening movement in Copland's ballet </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> Problems playing this file? See media help . </Td> </Tr> </Table>

Who danced the lead role in appalachian spring