Ives:Symphony No.4 IV. Finale. Very slowly; Largo maestoso

[saspir]

What is the image in the video?

[Ear4Beauty]

The closing impressionistic sounding hymn at the end is Nearer My God to Thee. Get use to it

[Ear4Beauty]

This work is something like a more modernized Scriabin symphony. The final bars are so mysterious but touching because of the tradition V to I cadence and hold before the coda. The twittering of the flute aways did remind me of looking out into the starry Milky Way in space. The hint of a Christian hymn, the low rumble of a percussion. Very memorable.

[thrash5409]

Oh yes, that last movement of Orch. Set 2 is very moving, and Stokowski's is the best, and the piece is much stranger in some ways, than the last movement of the fourth symph. My favorite Ives is the last movement of the 3rd Symphony, in the Bernstein recording.

[thrash5409]

I saw Tilson-Thomas conduct this at Carnegie Hall in 1975 or 76. Though I prefer the Stokowski version, I always find this movement heart-stopping, whoever conducts, unless they rush it, and the "Nearer My God To Thee" theme at the end makes me think he's depicting the sinking of the Titanic.

[anuteamsterium]

@thrash5409 ... Stokowski- agreed. Ever hear Stokowski's recording of Ives Second Orchestral Set? Has the same grandeur and tragic beauty.

[clucaspik]

To think there were no models for this, except maybe the music of the spheres.

[lyricaltones]

For me, compositions like this are simply amazing. I'm completely absorbed by this grandious sound world, moved and entranced and I suppose this one of the greatest symphonic compositions.

[cyclonus812]

@lyricaltones On my bucket list is to see this performed live.

[Sesquiltera]

Damn, you missed the ending, I liked this very much and thank you for uploading of course but theres a few seconds missing.

[dancinginthestreet1]

VVV yeah i always liked how ives introduced serious musical ideas by hooking listeners with familiar american chruch and marching band music and then turning the stuff inside out and upside down.

[avicto01]

OOHHHHH YYYYEEEEAAAAAAHHHH!!!

[highlandsh]

One critic claimed Ive's was "obviously" influenced by many European composers of the late 1800s and early 1900s. Ives thought that odd because he had not heard their music when he composed his own.

[iamalittlespy]

That's actually incorrect. Ives studied music in Yale, where he certainly had the access to everything that was going on in Europe. Ives did not study music in a log cabin, in fact his first two symphonies are very much influenced by European composers.

[highlandsh]

Yes, I am aware the Ives was very well educated. I was passing on an anecdote I read some years ago. I will try to find a reference. He may have been referring to early pieces that actually predated the supposed European influence but came from his own genius and his father's unusual pedagogy.

[spocksmusic]

This piece was also, probably, "touched up" in the late 20s and 30s, as he was winding down and gathering his works, by which time he was reading New Music Quarterly (or whatever it was called then) and going to New Music concerts, which were rare (and on a very limited basis, of course, due to his health )

[iamalittlespy]

I see your point now. I am aware that his father got Ives into some interesting musical experimentation. I don't really know much of Ives music form his "pre-european" period. All I've heard was Variations on America for Organ, which is interesting, but a bit quirky.

But I don't think that "European" influence is anything to be ashamed off. Every composer no matter how great has to start somewhere.

There is no shame in emulating other masters before one finds his own voice.

[iamalittlespy]

What makes Ives great is his unique synthesis of American folk and popular music, avant-garde experimentation and european influences.

[lixdexical]

Quotation 1:59

[Chesterton7]

One of my favorites. Thanks for posting it.

[Ear4Beauty]

Happy to see the enthyusiasm here. I first heard this as a highschooler around 1969, with a little Ives revival. I was always touched with the last movement - astral, comtemplative, with a Christian hymn softly in the backround - very cosmic.

[biketowork1]

I listened to this many times and finally noticed that the end is "Nearer My God to Thee". Ives is America's greatest composer.

[EchoCannon89]

I think that he compares with Europe'es best composers; this particular movement is amazing!

[EchoCannon89]

it's crazy that this only has 7,000 views, more people need to know about this work!

[EchoCannon89]

Tilson-Thomas really does an amazing job with this

[abushong87]

Understanding this symphony takes a good understanding of theory (poly chords and bitonality = two different chords or keys going at the same time), Ives' interest in bands and American folk-music, and appreciation comes from understanding that the orchestration is HUGE! This symphony requires a Giant orchestra, full choir, and TWO Conductors. It's really a crazy cool symphony.

[bassguitarkeybordwiz]

To make a point about that other comment on the second page, I had no Idea at the time any understanding of music theory, I was a freshman in high school when I heard this, So sorry if I made any people mad

[hellmuth26]

i don't know what the hell that was, but i felt its power!

[qazxswec500]

I only just heard about charles ives.. ten minutes ago? He is amazing.

I'm a fan for sure!

His concepts of dissonance are brilliant. I think I've been looking for this dude for years :)

[Sedanstotina]

He is cool, yes... listen to his "unanswered question"

[madderbass]

This is so damn cool! I hope someday I can write music the way Ives could.

[bossanova3255]

"Horrendous climax"...,I think Ives would have taken that as a complement!He had said several times in many ways that he wanted to challenge his listeners...,the reason that I know something about him,is 1st,I'm from New England also,and 2nd, there was a wonderful PBS series about him on the centennial of his birth(1974),had his early life portrayed, muscians discussing his music,etc...,I've been looking for it but no luck so far...,anyone else seen this?

[Cramnella]

I checked the records of the Remembering Ives show back in 1985, but have never seen any of the video except a slight excerpt of Bernard Herrmann's comments.

[IncaRoad01]

Tumultuous excellence ...

[Cramnella]

This is one of the most sublime human utterances ever penned. I am a better person that I have been exposed to and have gotten the music of Charles Edward Ives. There is no question but that he is the greatest American composer ever, but I believe the case can be made that he was the greatest composer of the 20th century if not of all time.

[NGS712]

Cramnella: I'd definitely say he was one of the most unique, based on the few pieces I've heard.

[MaestroTJS]

@Cramnella I wish there was an emoticon I could put here which would show me falling off my chair laughing at that suggestion. 

[freddydiamant]

This is one of the most moving pieces of music ever written. The way Ives creates that wonderous ecstasy is completely unique in classical music. You have that herendous climax beggining at 6:11, were the whole orchestra creates this great sound mass, leaving you with your mouth open. And after that comes the ultimate part: 8:21 with wordless chorus with that absolutely moving moment. It fades away to nothing leaving the distant string ensemble to talk to itself and the percussion to murmur.

[cyclonus812]

@freddydiamant It was about 15 years ago when I stumbled upon this browsing the radio......one of the most beautiful and powerful things I've heard in my life.

[didgerigabe]

One of my favorite symphony movements.

[bootheavy]

This is exactly what it is. I'm surprised no one actually mentioned this. As a boy Ives would be fascinated by two simultaneous harmonies between one marching band leaving and one approaching. Apart from it being noise, Ives would incorporate it creating a unique approach to compositon.