Composer

:

Charles Ives

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1921

Publication Date

:

1922

First Performance

:

Feb 28, 1924

Average_duration

:

1:29

Charles Ives' "The Greatest Man" is a choral work that was composed in 1914. It premiered on May 28, 1915, at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own unique characteristics. The first movement, "The Greatest Man," is a setting of a poem by Walt Whitman. It begins with a solo baritone singing the opening lines, "I dream'd in a dream, I saw a city invincible to the attacks of the whole of the rest of the earth." The choir then enters, singing in unison, "I dream'd that was the new City of Friends." The music is grand and majestic, with soaring melodies and rich harmonies. The text celebrates the power of human connection and the potential for a better world. The second movement, "The Circus Band," is a lively and playful piece that evokes the sounds of a circus. The choir sings the words of a poem by Ives himself, which describes the sights and sounds of a circus parade. The music is full of syncopated rhythms, unexpected harmonies, and sudden shifts in tempo and dynamics. It captures the chaotic energy of a circus and the excitement it brings. The final movement, "Tom Sails Away," is a setting of a traditional folk song. It tells the story of a young man who sets out to sea, leaving behind his family and friends. The music is haunting and melancholy, with a simple melody and sparse harmonies. The choir sings the words in a mournful, almost chant-like style, conveying the sadness and longing of those left behind. Overall, "The Greatest Man" is a powerful and complex work that showcases Ives' innovative approach to choral music. It combines elements of traditional hymns, folk songs, and popular music with avant-garde techniques and experimental harmonies. The result is a work that is both deeply moving and intellectually stimulating, a testament to the power of music to inspire and challenge us.

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