Ives

Charles Ives (October 20, 1874 - May 19, 1954)

Insurance Salesman Baseball player Organist/Pianist Modernist Composer

Son of a Civil War band leader, Charles Ives grew up surrounded by the sounds of America - hymns, marches, and patriotic tunes. His music often includes quotes of these famous tunes, helping to create a truly unique American sound. Charles Ives was innovative and not afraid to try new things. He continued to compose what he loved, even though during his early life people were not pleased with his music. (He was wise enough to pursue a career as a very successful insurance salesman to pay the bills.) Charles Ives is now recognized as a revolutionary in music. He won the Pulitzer Prize in 1947 for his 3rd Symphony which he had written 40 years before. NPR Article on Ives Article from the Museum in Ives' hometown, Danbury PBS Article on Ives media type="custom" key="23910872" Symphony No. 2, Conducted by Leonard Bernstein with a wonderful spoken explanation by Bernstein media type="custom" key="23910842" Symphony No. 3 media type="custom" key="23929598" Symphony No. 4 "Largo Maestoso" (final movement) quotes the hymn "Nearer My God to Thee" media type="custom" key="23918244" The Unanswered Question media type="custom" key="23933030" Variations on America, Organ  National Cathedral media type="file" key="9-13 Variations on _America_ (Listen.m4a" width="300" height="50"  Variations on America, Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra   media type="file" key="02 Variations on America.mp3" width="240" height="20"  Variations on America, Concert Band   media type="custom" key="23929522" "The Fourth of July" movement 3 from Holidays Symphony quotes "Columbia Gem of the Ocean," "Battle Hymn of the Republic," "Battle Cry of Freedom," "Yankee Doodle"  media type="custom" key="23933082" "Songs My Mother Taught Me" sung by Jay Poff  media type="custom" key="24178796" "Songs My Mother Taught Me"  media type="custom" key="23933110" Hilary Hahn and Valentina Lisista play 4th Sonata, 1st movement  media type="file" key="Fugue In Four Keys.mp3" width="240" height="20" Fugue in Four Keys  media type="custom" key="23929552" Charles Ives Biography by the Boston Symphony Orchestra