Top 5 Favorite Ives Works

[Cato]

Quarter-Tone Piano Pieces

(You knew that would be #1 !)

Symphonies IV, II, and I

Robert Browning Overture

Actually the order could change daily, and notice that for once I am following the rules  0:)  by listing 5, so take advantage of this! 

[Mr Bloom]

Three places in new england, original or revised version? With basoon or choir in the The Housatonic at Stockbridge?

[Sergeant Rock]

Three places in new england, original or revised version? With basoon or choir in the The Housatonic at Stockbridge?

Has anyone other than MTT employed a choir? His version I haven't heard.

Sarge

[Karl Henning]

Was this in the spirit of Ormandy substituting a men's choir for the celli in the opening of the 1812 Overture?

[Sergeant Rock]

Was this in the spirit of Ormandy substituting a men's choir for the celli in the opening of the 1812 Overture?

According to Wiki:

"Ives recomposed this movement as an art song for a solo singer with piano accompaniment. The original symphonic version was purely instrumental, but conductor Michael Tilson Thomas took the liberty of adding a full choir to sing the Dorrance-based melody in place of the horns/woodwinds/lower strings when he rerecorded the work in 2002 with the San Francisco Symphony on the RCA label. This was likely inspired by performing Ives' Holiday Symphony, which originally did use a chorus at the end of the final movement."

[Karl Henning]

According to Wiki:

"Ives recomposed this movement as an art song for a solo singer with piano accompaniment. The original symphonic version was purely instrumental, but conductor Michael Tilson Thomas took the liberty of adding a full choir to sing the Dorrance-based melody in place of the horns/woodwinds/lower strings when he rerecorded the work in 2002 with the San Francisco Symphony on the RCA label. This was likely inspired by performing Ives' Holiday Symphony, which originally did use a chorus at the end of the final movement."

Thank you, sieur!

[Mirror Image]

I'm not happy with my current list of favorites so...(in no particular order):

Violin Sonata No. 4, "Children's Day at the Camp Meeting"
Symphony No. 4
The Unanswered Question
Set for Chamber Orchestra No. 7, "Water Colors"
String Quartet No. 1, "From the Salvation Army"

[Mirror Image]

Two Contemplations
Symphony no. 4
Holidays Symphony
Three Places in New England
Psalm no. 90

This is actually cheating as Two Contemplations are just a name given to two separate works. In this case, Central Park in the Dark and The Unanswered Question, so please pick one.

[North Star]

This is actually cheating as Two Contemplations are just a name given to two separate works. In this case, Central Park in the Dark and The Unanswered Question, so please pick one.

Of course it is, John.   I guess I'd drop the Psalm in that case. And I might want to drop Central Park in the Dark to get the Concord Sonata in.

[Mirror Image]

Of course it is, John.   I guess I'd drop the Psalm in that case. And I might want to drop Central Park in the Dark to get the Concord Sonata in.

I knew you'd see it my way. At any rate, a great choice you made.

[vandermolen]

Three Places in New England
Symphony 3
Holidays Symphony
Unanswered Question
Symphony 4

[Mirror Image]

Three Places in New England
Symphony 3
Holidays Symphony
Unanswered Question
Symphony 4

Great list, Jeffrey. How do you feel about the violin sonatas or have I already asked you this question before? Also, have you heard any of the Sets for Chamber Orchestra or SQs? All prime Ives IMHO.

[vandermolen]

Great list, Jeffrey. How do you feel about the violin sonatas or have I already asked you this question before? Also, have you heard any of the Sets for Chamber Orchestra or SQs? All prime Ives IMHO.

Can't understand why I didn't post on this interesting thread earlier  .
Sorry to say that I don't know those works John. 

[EigenUser]

Not a huge Ives fan, but he interests me nonetheless.

Central Park in the Dark (favorite by far -- I love this piece -- does anyone else hear the slow movement of Bartok's 2nd PC?)
The Unanswered Question
String Quartet #2 (saw it live once, played by Emerson SQ)
Symphony No. 4

Can't think of a fifth.

Okay, this was a year and a half ago. My list now:

Central Park in the Dark
Three Places in New England (how did I miss hearing this one before?!)
Concord Sonata (I've only heard the whole thing once, but it was enthralling)
String Quartet #2 (saw it live once, played by Emerson SQ)
Symphony No. 4

[ComposerOfAvantGarde]

Robert Browning Overture
3 Places in New England
Set for Theatre Orchestra
Symphony no. 4
Universe Symphony

[ComposerOfAvantGarde]

The Robert Browning overture is absolutely incredible. Surprised that it isn't on more people's lists....