Composer

:

Charles Ives

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1898

Publication Date

:

1922

First Performance

:

May 14, 1950

Average_duration

:

2:59

"When stars are in the quiet skies, S. 389" is a song composed by Charles Ives in 1920. It was premiered in 1922 by the composer himself and is part of his collection of songs titled "114 Songs." The song has a single movement and is characterized by its use of dissonance and unconventional harmonies. The song is set to a poem by Scottish poet James Hogg and is a reflection on the beauty of the night sky. The opening lines of the poem, "When stars are in the quiet skies, / Then most I pine for thee," set the tone for the song's wistful and melancholic mood. Ives' setting of the poem is sparse and delicate, with the piano providing a gentle accompaniment to the vocal line. One of the most striking features of the song is its use of dissonance. Ives frequently employs unconventional harmonies and chord progressions, creating a sense of tension and unease that is at odds with the song's peaceful subject matter. This tension is particularly evident in the song's final lines, where the vocal line and piano accompaniment seem to be pulling in different directions. Despite its unconventional harmonies, "When stars are in the quiet skies" is a beautiful and haunting song that captures the sense of longing and nostalgia expressed in Hogg's poem. It is a testament to Ives' skill as a composer that he was able to create such a powerful emotional effect with such a simple and understated setting.

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