Ives: An American Journey

Michael Tilson Thomas is an expert Ivesian. His 1970 recording debut was with Three Places in New England, still available from DG. Here, he redoes the work with the interpolation of a chorus singing the poem on which the last movement, "The Housatonic at Stockbridge," is based--unusual, not as effective as the orchestral version, but fascinating. Tilson Thomas cites Ives's desire for performers to creatively shape his music, and this disc vindicates his editorial liberties by making Ives's surprising music even more unpredictable. The choral contributions are fine, too, but baritone Thomas Hampson steals the show with seven songs that display his empathy with Ives's varied styles and the range of the composer's music, from cowboy songs to touching elegies. The way Hampson bellows a Brooklynese "Coytin" (for "Curtain") at the end of the first song of Memories is worth the price of purchase. Here's a disc to be entertained by, and moved as well. The recording was made at SFS concerts, and we're privileged to share the audience's experience. A must-have for Ivesians and the curious. --Dan Davis more

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Michael Tilson Thomas, San Francisco Symphony and Chorus, Thomas Hampson, Charles Ives, Audio CD, Amazon, Best Buy

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Smarter Choice American Journey Conductor Michael Tilson Thomas is a longtime champion of the music of Charles Ives, the individualistic composer...	Best Buy 14,893 reviews *smarter certified	$9.99	See it
Ives: An American Journey Michael Tilson Thomas is an expert Ivesian. His 1970 recording debut was with Three Places in New England,...	Amazon 11,619 reviews	$8.98 Coupon 1 coupon available Code:No Code Required Detail: FREE Shipping on orders over $25 at Amazon. Expires:Dec-31-2012 Restriction:Some restrictions apply. See site for details.	See it

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Recent Reviews

5/5: From: Amazon; Posted: Dec-18-2005; A superb evening of Ives, the best in decades; Tilson Thomas's PR team should put out a ocntract on me; I rarely express enthusiasm for him. So let me bow especially low to this superlative 1999 concert of Ives as viewed from his most melodic, least revolutionary perspective. This is...; read full review | report as inappropriate

3/5: From: Amazon; Posted: Jan-12-2004; Something of a disappointment; I was very much looking forward to the latest Ives recording from Michael Tilson Thomas, whose reputation as an Ives specialist began with his first recording of the Three Pieces in New England, made in 1970 when the conductor was only...; read full review | report as inappropriate

4/5: From: Amazon; Posted: Dec-21-2002; a wonderful summary; Charles Ives has always been a puzzle to me. From time to time I have listened to his music with a complete lack of resolution. Did I actually like it? Is it just an American marketing phenomena? Would we hear as much of him if he were,...; read full review | report as inappropriate

5/5: From: Amazon; Posted: Jun-15-2002; Ives is Ives; I grew up on movie soundtracks and scores from the likes of Bernard Herrmann, Dimitri Tiomkin, Alex North and others. We have lost many of these composers but not their music they have left us through the years. That's a gift to all of...; read full review | report as inappropriate

Selected Reviews

5/5: From: Amazon; Posted: Dec-18-2005; A superb evening of Ives, the best in decades; Tilson Thomas's PR team should put out a ocntract on me; I rarely express enthusiasm for him. So let me bow especially low to this superlative 1999 concert of Ives as viewed from his most melodic, least revolutionary perspective. This is...; read full review | report as inappropriate

3/5: From: Amazon; Posted: Jan-12-2004; Something of a disappointment; I was very much looking forward to the latest Ives recording from Michael Tilson Thomas, whose reputation as an Ives specialist began with his first recording of the Three Pieces in New England, made in 1970 when the conductor was only...; read full review | report as inappropriate