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Kate Molleson explores the impact the bandleader George Ives had upon his son Charles.

Charles Ives is considered a leading American composer of the early 20th century. Known for many musical innovations, his was a unique voice, a pioneer who combined elements of Western and American music traditions. He’s also been called a Yankee Maverick and much of his creative life was spent in obscurity. Marking the 150th anniversary since his birth, Kate Molleson shines the spotlight on the life and music of Charles Ives. This journey begins in Danbury where Ives grew up, going on to study at Yale, then working in Insurance in New York, and coming to a close in the mid twentieth century. In those final decades, and largely due to ill health, Ives had stopped composing. Ironically, it was at this point when his creative endeavours had ceased, that his music started to generate much interest.

Charles Ives was born in Danbury, Connecticut, and he was raised in a family known and respected for their business, their progressive politics, and for their music. George Ives, father of Charles, had been a bandleader during the American Civil War. He had a profound impact upon his son in terms of music, especially in encouraging him to experiment and to think outside the box. Charles soon started to learn a number of instruments, including the organ, and turned to composition too. Once Charles entered Yale University, he encountered a music professor who was hugely conservative, and who didn’t think much of his new student’s compositions. It was in this early period in Yale that George Ives died, and Charles channelled some of his grief into his first symphony.

Memories (excerpt)
Susan Graham, mezzo-soprano
Pierre-Laurent Aimard, piano

Four Ragtime Dances for Theatre Orchestra, No 1 (Allegro moderato)
Saarbrücken Radio Symphony Orchestra
Michael Stern, conductor

String Quartet No 1 ‘From the Salvation Army’ (excerpt)
Escher String Quartet

Variations on ‘America’
Hans-Ola Ericsson, organ

Psalm 67, God Be Merciful Unto Us
SWR Vocal Ensemble Stuttgart
Marcus Creed, director

Symphony No 1 (excerpt)
Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra
Gustavo Dudamel

Produced by Luke Whitlock