Born on October 20, 1874 in Danbury, Connecticut (the son of a former Civil War bandmaster, George Ives, who instilled in his son from early on an adventurous musical aesthetic), Charles Ives would go on to become one of the most successful insurance executives in America. Fortunately for music—and for us—he made plenty of time during the evenings and on weekends to write the highly inventive and boldy experimental music we now associate with his name, much of which had to wait years, even decades, for its first performance, and much of it anticipating by some years the "innovations" attributed to composers on the other side of the Atlantic by some years as well. On Tuesday's Classical Music With Foley Schuler, we'll enjoy several highlights spanning Ives' rich and remarkable body of work, which, though now considered that of an American classic, still retains its power to startle and delight.
Featured works will include one of Ives' profound masterpieces, the monumental Symphony No. 4 (featuring the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas), as well as a beautful work showing the composers more intimate side, his Violin Sonata No. 4 "Children's Day at the Camp Meeting" with violinist Stefan Jackiw and pianist Jeremy Denk.
One of the great interpreters of Ives' music, Michael Tilson Thomas, offering his insights into Tuesday afternoon's featured work: Ives' Symphony No. 4:
You can hear Foley Schuler's musical selections—and stories behind the music—this afternoon from 1 until 4 on Blue Lake Public Radio.
