Ives's First Symphony is an attractive, conservative piece with a gorgeous slow movement based on a hymn tune and a finale that sounds strangely like early Bruckner. The Fourth, on the other hand, is arguably his masterpiece, and one of the most radical compositions in the history of music. Scored for a huge orchestra with three solo pianos, chorus, offstage and onstage instruments, and "everything but the kitchen sink" percussion, it requires at least two conductors to keep it all coordinated. Listening to it--despite the commotion in the second movement--is a positively transcendental experience, and the finale resolves itself into one of the most beautiful moments in American music. These performances are smashing (and crashing, where necessary!).
- David Hurwitz
Track listing:
1. Symphony No. 1 by Charles Ives
Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Orchestra/Ensemble: Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1895-1898; USA
Venue: Medinah Temple, Chicago, Illinois
Length: 35 Minutes 34 Secs.
2. Symphony No. 4 by Charles Ives
Performer: Mary Sauer (Piano), Richard Webster (Organ)
Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Orchestra/Ensemble: Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Chorus members
Period: 20th Century
Written: circa 1912-1925; USA
Venue: Medinah Temple, Chicago, Illinois
Length: 33 Minutes 33 Secs.
3. Sweet by and by by Joseph Philbrick Webster
Performer: Richard Webster (Organ)
Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Orchestra/Ensemble: Chicago Symphony Chorus members
Period: Romantic
Written: 1867; USA
Venue: Medinah Temple, Chicago, Illinois
Length: 1 Minutes 52 Secs.
4. Ye Christian Heralds by Heinrich Zeuner
Performer: Richard Webster (Organ)
Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Orchestra/Ensemble: Chicago Symphony Chorus members
Period: Romantic
Written: circa 1830; USA
Venue: Medinah Temple, Chicago, Illinois
Length: 1 Minutes 9 Secs.
5. Jesus, lover of my soul by Simeon Butler Marsh
Performer: Richard Webster (Organ)
Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Orchestra/Ensemble: Chicago Symphony Chorus members
Period: Romantic
Written: 1834; USA
Venue: Medinah Temple, Chicago, Illinois
Length: 1 Minutes 49 Secs.
6. Nearer, my God, to Thee by Lowell Mason
Performer: Richard Webster (Organ)
Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Orchestra/Ensemble: Chicago Symphony Chorus members
Period: Romantic
Written: 1856; USA
Venue: Medinah Temple, Chicago, Illinois
Length: 2 Minutes 1 Secs.
7. Beulah Land by John R. Sweney
Performer: Richard Webster (Organ)
Period: Romantic
Written: USA
Venue: Medinah Temple, Chicago, Illinois
Length: 0 Minutes 57 Secs.
