Credits:

Jarvi, Neeme

Description:

This performance thoroughly analyzes the works of Ives, a composer active in the United States in the latter half of the 19th century who, while respecting tradition, left behind many works that incorporate a great deal of experimental elements. In between his day job as an insurance agent, he wrote four symphonies, orchestral works, chamber music, songs, and numerous other works in a wide variety of styles, some based on simple folk songs, and some avant-garde works that incorporate polytones and microtones. The two symphonies on this album are both Ives' masterpieces. The third symphony is based on the motif of a religious congregation in the pioneer days of America, and Mahler, who was in New York at the time of its release, took notice of it and brought back the score to be performed in Europe. Although No. 4 is a short work, it is known as a difficult piece to perform because of its complex interplay of various types of music: hymns, marches, and jazz are all played at once in a collage-like style, shifting from one to the other simultaneously. Tilson Thomas has been actively performing Ives' music since he was a young man, and his recordings of the complete symphonies and major orchestral works for Sony Classical in the 1980s have also become classic recordings.Tilson Thomas has performed many of Ives' works with the San Francisco Symphony, and live recordings of his performances have been released. The "spirit of America" is vividly portrayed. Also included in the first half and middle of the album are performances of the original hymns quoted in No. 4. The hybrid SACD specification, the sound quality of the SACD layer (and the high-resolution on the digital distribution) is extremely high, and even the various instrumental arrangements of the huge orchestra are clear, further deepening our understanding of the music. Warner Music Japan

Tracklisting:

1.O for a Thousand Tongues
2.What a Friend
3.There is a Fountain
4.Happy Land
5.Just As I Am
6.Symphony No. 3, The Camp Meeting~I. Old Folks Gatherin: Andante maestoso
7.Symphony No. 3, The Camp Meeting~II. Children's Day: Allegro
8.Symphony No. 3, The Camp Meeting~III. Communion: Largo
9.Sweet By and By
10.Beulah Land
11.Ye Christian Heralds
12.Jesus, Lover of My Soul
13.From Greenland's Icy Mountains
14.Nearer, My God, to Thee
15.Symphony No. 4~I. Prelude: Maestoso
16.Symphony No. 4~II. Comedy: Allegretto
17.Symphony No. 4~III. Fugue: Andante moderato
18.Symphony No. 4~IV. Finale: Largo maestoso