Independence Day in the States! No, not the American Revolution for it was nothing of the sort. Why do they still insist on calling it a revolution? There was no period of thermidor or terror. Laymen, and historians alike can be so inept! Geez!
Ok, enough of that. What's more American then Charles Ives? Hotdogs at a baseball game? Moonshine drunk out of a Ball jar? The bikini? If anyone can be called an American original, it was Charles Ives and his music always has that brashness and freshness that characterizes the best of our homegrown composers.
Here are two lps from 1965 and 67, if I have my dates correct. Morton Gould conducts the Chicago Symphony in works ranging from Ives' student years up to the time where he was really pushing the envelope on what would be acceptable to listeners and the concert experience. This is a good cross section.
Now, there's a reason why Stravinsky referred to the Chicago Symphony as the most flexible orchestra in the world. Under Gould's inspired, electric direction, this magnificent orchestra tears into these pieces and plays them for all they are worth. Ormandy's record of the Symphony No 1 has been much admired, and it is good, but this performance sets a much higher bar. It is brilliantly played and so exciting - who would think this was a graduation piece, it comes off sounding like the masterpiece which it isn't. It is a very fine symphony nonetheless and it is a testament to Gould's gifted podium skills. Likewise, the Robert Browning Overture blows away the other performance I know, that of Harold Farberman, a recognized expert in Ives' music.
My only complaint is that on LSC 2959, there was some very sloppy editing and engineering. The Orchestral Set has each piece ending abruptly, much like those Allegro Elite editions of the 1950's had a tendency to do. I faded each track out as not to sound too abrupt.
These two records should be in every collection since they represent the highest levels of orchestral playing and podium leadership.
DOWNLOAD LSC 2893 PART 1
DOWNLOAD LSC 2893 PART 2
DOWNLOAD LSC 2959 PART 1
HERE'S PART 2 OF LSC 2959!
