(September 2020) Episode 284 is CHARLES IVES. Working as an insurance executive by day freed him to compose whatever he wanted by night, creating stunning modernist works which did not receive performance and recognition until late in his life. The early stuff is fairly conventional and there’s a lot of the vernacular (songs, marches, etc.), but his bold, experimental works make him one of my favorite American composers.
Favorite piece: Symphony #4
Best short piece: The Unanswered Question
Probably would be my favorite if it had been finished: Universe Symphony
Favorite chamber piece: String Quartet #2
Favorite piano piece: Piano Sonata #2
Compared to expectations: same
Opus Project 