Primitive Mysteries (1931): Martha Graham and Dorothy Bird

Photograph of Martha Graham and Dorothy Bird in 'Hosannah' from Primitive Mysteries (1931).

"Of Primitive Mysteries I can say that it is one of the few things I have ever seen in dancing where the idea, its origin, the source from which it grew, the development of its excitement and sanctity, give me a sense of baffled awe and surprise, the sense of wonder and defeat in its beautiful presence...We have the sense that, whatever may have been left out, nothing has entered a composition that has not grown into it organically.” – Stark Young, February 7, 1931, “The New Republic”

Premiere of Primitive Mysteries: February 2, 1931 – The Craig Theatre, New York City
Choreography by Martha Graham
Costumes by Martha Graham
Music by Louis Horst

Photograph by Paul Hanson