Charles Ives

San Antone · April 11, 2024, 07:37:10 AM

Quote from: Atriod on April 11, 2024, 07:09:33 AMMore recently I have come to really love the Concord Sonata and it's fast approaching one of my favorite American solo keyboard works if not my number one. A big reason for this is there are only a couple of instances of Ives quoting American music, instead the sonata is always forward looking.

I've been reading this book, and I can heartily recommend it for those that want more insight into his second sonata.

Looks to be a fascinating read; and a book I am sure to purchase, soon. Thanks. Kyle Gann is a good writer; I've got his book on Cage.

brewski · April 11, 2024, 08:00:01 AM

Another big thumbs-up for the Concord, and Gann's book looks excellent, too. I've been lucky to hear the sonata a few times live, with Marc-André Hamelin and Pierre-Laurent Aimard probably vying for top honors.

-Bruce

Pohjolas Daughter · April 11, 2024, 08:32:43 AM

Quote from: brewski on April 11, 2024, 08:00:01 AMAnother big thumbs-up for the Concord, and Gann's book looks excellent, too. I've been lucky to hear the sonata a few times live, with Marc-André Hamelin and Pierre-Laurent Aimard probably vying for top honors.

-Bruce

I do remember hearing it and enjoying it (over the radio); will have to dig around to see whether or not I have a recording of it.

Pohjolas Daughter · April 11, 2024, 10:59:02 AM

Quote from: San Antone on April 11, 2024, 07:37:10 AMLooks to be a fascinating read; and a book I am sure to purchase, soon. Thanks. Kyle Gann is a good writer; I've got his book on Cage.

Quote from: brewski on April 11, 2024, 08:00:01 AMAnother big thumbs-up for the Concord, and Gann's book looks excellent, too. I've been lucky to hear the sonata a few times live, with Marc-André Hamelin and Pierre-Laurent Aimard probably vying for top honors.

-Bruce

Upon a quick googling: so it was never finished by the composer?

brewski · April 11, 2024, 11:12:17 AM

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on April 11, 2024, 10:59:02 AMUpon a quick googling: so it was never finished by the composer?

Complicated! Here is a Gramophone article that may help.

-Bruce

Atriod · April 11, 2024, 12:20:04 PM

Quote from: brewski on April 11, 2024, 08:00:01 AMAnother big thumbs-up for the Concord, and Gann's book looks excellent, too. I've been lucky to hear the sonata a few times live, with Marc-André Hamelin and Pierre-Laurent Aimard probably vying for top honors.

-Bruce

For those that have heard Marc-André Hamelin's old and new recording how do the two compare aside from his omission of flute and/or viola between the two recordings? I really like the Hyperion performance, one of my favorite CDs from him.

Atriod · April 13, 2024, 12:28:22 PM

I revisited this SACD which I played a couple of times when it came out then not much afterward. I liked it a lot more this time around, the first piano sonata is not that dissimilar to the Concord Sonata (it does wander a bit in places compared to the Concord, lacks that special something of the Concord Sonata that makes it a masterpiece). In Piano Sonata 1 there isn't any hint of romantic era leanings, no reminiscence of the past, etc. I see that Ives does quote some old American music but aside from the very obvious times he does it (kept to a minimum, mostly the fourth movement) I could not hear this since I was 1) unfamiliar with that music and 2) the way Ives does it it still sounds squarely modern/20th century and not kitschy.

I have a newfound appreciation for this sonata that will now be in my heavy rotation pile of albums.