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Kate Molleson explores the period when Charles Ives and his wife Harmony adopt a daughter.

Charles Ives is considered a leading American composer of the early 20th century. Known for many musical innovations, his was a unique voice, a pioneer who combined elements of Western and American music traditions. He’s also been called a Yankee Maverick and much of his creative life was spent in obscurity. Marking the 150th anniversary since his birth, Kate Molleson shines the spotlight on the life and music of Charles Ives. This journey begins in Danbury where Ives grew up, going on to study at Yale, then working in Insurance in New York, and coming to a close in the mid twentieth century. In those final decades, and largely due to ill health, Ives had stopped composing. Ironically, it was at this point when his creative endeavours had ceased, that his music started to generate much interest.

The first two decades of the twentieth century were exceptionally busy for Charles Ives. He had not only began working as an insurance clerk, but in 1907 he established Ives & Co. Ives believed firmly in life insurance, and felt that it was important because it established in the soul and mind of humankind the responsibility of meeting their obligations. Ives also continued to compose, and was trying to promote his music to other musicians, but this resulted in many knock-backs and criticism that his music was unplayable. Ives was angered by his reception and began to isolate himself from his musical colleagues, composing in total isolation with little interest in getting his works performed. A ray of light came to the Ives household when, in 1916, Charles and Harmony adopted a baby daughter, Edith. Unfortunately this also led to many years of pain, as her biological parents continued to seek Ives out, asking for money.

The Children’s Hour
Ruby Hughes, soprano
Joseph Middleton, piano

The Unanswered Question
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Sir Andrew Davis, conductor

General William Booth Enters into Heaven
Thomas Hampson, baritone
San Francisco Girls Chorus
San Francisco Symphony Chorus
San Francisco Symphony
Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor

Tom Sails Away (Three Songs of War)
Thomas Hampson, baritone
Michael Tilson Thomas, piano

Orchestral Set No 1 ‘Three Places in New England’ (Putnam’s Camp)
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Andrew Litton, conductor

Sonata for Violin and Piano No 3 (Adagio - Cantabile)
Hansheinz Schneeberger, violin
Daniel Cholette, piano

Symphony No 4 (excerpt)
Jerome Rosen, piano
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Tanglewood Festival Chorus
Seiji Ozawa, conductor

Produced by Luke Whitlock