Composer

:

Charles Ives

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

1902

Publication Date

:

1922

First Performance

:

Feb 21, 1947

Average_duration

:

0:47

"Slugging a Vampire" is a humorous and satirical piece composed by Charles Ives in 1915. The piece was premiered in 1924 by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Walter Damrosch. It is a part of Ives' collection of short pieces called "114 Songs." The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own unique character and style. The first movement is titled "The Vampire," and it is a slow and eerie piece that sets the stage for the rest of the work. The second movement, "The Slugger," is a fast and aggressive piece that features a lot of dissonance and rhythmic complexity. The final movement, "The Vampire and the Slugger," combines the two previous movements and features a battle between the vampire and the slugger. The piece is characterized by Ives' use of humor and satire. The title itself is a play on words, as "slugging" can refer to both hitting someone and drinking alcohol. The piece also features a lot of musical jokes, such as the use of a funeral march in the second movement and the inclusion of a popular tune called "The Sidewalks of New York" in the final movement. Overall, "Slugging a Vampire" is a unique and entertaining piece that showcases Ives' creativity and sense of humor. It is a testament to his ability to blend different styles and genres of music into a cohesive and enjoyable work.

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