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George Ives was an American composer and musician who was born on October 20, 1874, in Danbury, Connecticut. He was the son of George Ives Sr., a Civil War bandmaster, and Mary Parmelee. George Ives Jr. showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. His father was his first music teacher, and he taught him to play the drums, trumpet, and violin. Ives attended Yale University, where he studied music theory and composition. He was a member of the Yale Glee Club and played in the university band. After graduating in 1898, he worked as an insurance salesman for several years while continuing to compose music in his spare time. In 1907, Ives married Harmony Twitchell, and they had one son, Charles. Ives continued to work in the insurance industry until he retired in 1930. He then devoted himself full-time to music and composing. Ives was a pioneer in the field of modern classical music. He was known for his use of dissonance, polytonality, and unconventional harmonies. His music was often experimental and challenging, and he was not widely recognized during his lifetime. One of Ives' most famous works is his Symphony No. 4, which he began composing in 1910 and completed in 1925. The symphony is known for its complex structure and use of multiple musical themes. It was not performed in its entirety until 1965, more than 20 years after Ives' death. Ives' other notable works include his Piano Sonata No. 2, which he composed in 1915. The sonata is known for its use of dissonance and unconventional harmonies. Ives also composed a number of songs, including "General William Booth Enters into Heaven," which is based on a poem by Vachel Lindsay. Despite his innovative approach to music, Ives struggled to gain recognition during his lifetime. He self-published many of his works and often gave them away for free. He also refused to conform to traditional musical conventions, which made it difficult for him to find an audience. In 1947, Ives was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music for his Symphony No. 3. The symphony was composed in 1904 and revised in 1911. It is known for its use of multiple musical themes and unconventional harmonies. Ives died on May 19, 1954, in New York City. He was 79 years old. Despite his lack of recognition during his lifetime, Ives is now considered one of the most important American composers of the 20th century. His innovative approach to music paved the way for future generations of composers and musicians.

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