Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Pianist Corner Spend some quality time with CHARLES IVES on America's day

Budpals, I think you may get a patriotic tingle from the in-depth master class on America's GREATEST composer, Charles Ives. This class features his lesser-known piano music..

Happy 4th)

Today is a GREAT day to spend time with America's GREATEST composer, CHARLES IVES!!

http://youtu.be/otGAvFUYDMk

Speaking of Charles Ives, many, many, er, many decades ago I was required to watch a film in junior high school. I vaguely remember it was very busy and about industry and the advance of civilization. I clearly remember being completely taken with the music so I took note of the fact that it was by Charles Ives. Does anyone know what it might have been? I seem to remember it was orchestral and it suited the film.

I always thought it was fitting that America's GREATEST composer made his fortune in the insurance business, and therefore did not need to make his living from composing.

This is my favorite Ives performance: http://youtu.be/10pqluMwgXQ

I'm never quite sure whether the great man is sending himself up....

And here's what the song sounds like when performed by someone other than the great man......

http://youtu.be/indMNESW6Y0

Yes, and (perhaps) America's second GREATEST composer was driven out of the country and lived in Mexico most of his adult life....


-J

Perhaps... perhaps.

But we will always have George Gershwin. Not proper enough for the classical crowd, not hip enough enough for the jazz crowd, but more talented than any of them.

One of a kind. An absolute treasure. My hat is off to you, sir.

I don't know when that was exactly, of course, but just guessing, I think it was at a time when there were relatively few recordings of Ives orchestral music (not that there is a great deal even now). Based on that idea, here is a little listening project that might work to help you find that piece: if you listened to his four numbered symphonies plus the "Holidays" symphony, and also the "Three Places in New England", the chances are pretty high that you'd come across the music for that film. If those aren't it, then try "Central Park in the Dark", "The Unanswered Question", and "Calcium Light Night". I imagine all of this is can be found on YouTube. Even if, in the end, you still couldn't identify the piece, you would have heard a lot of interesting music.

Sorry, but America doesn't have a GREATEST composer. Which is as it should be...

Excellent. I will do just that. Thank you.

I just heard Marc-Andre Hamelin perform Ives' Piano Sonata #2 Concord, Mass in Wigmore Hall about a week ago. It was incredible. Loved the thunderous Hawthorne and magical yet tendor ending with a hint of wilderness. I just don't have enough words to describe. It was my first time listening to Ives and first time hearing Hamelin perform. I consider myself quite lucky.

You should consider getting Jeremy Denk's recording, too, if you listen to recordings.