Composer

:

Charles Ives

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

May 30, 1917

Publication Date

:

1922

First Performance

:

Jan 18, 1940

Average_duration

:

3:39

"He Is There!, S. 262" is a choral work composed by Charles Ives in 1916. The piece was premiered on May 4, 1916, at the New York Music Festival. It is a four-movement work that features a choir and organ accompaniment. The first movement, "Invocation," begins with a soft and gentle organ introduction, followed by the choir singing a prayer-like text. The music gradually builds in intensity, with the choir and organ reaching a powerful climax before subsiding back into a peaceful and reflective mood. The second movement, "The Things Our Fathers Loved," is a nostalgic tribute to the past. The choir sings a text that describes the simple pleasures and values of an earlier time, while the organ provides a rich and harmonious accompaniment. The third movement, "The Cage," is a stark and dissonant depiction of modern life. The choir sings a text that describes the confinement and isolation of modern society, while the organ provides a harsh and discordant accompaniment. The final movement, "Tom Sails Away," is a joyful and uplifting celebration of life. The choir sings a text that describes the beauty and wonder of the natural world, while the organ provides a bright and lively accompaniment. Overall, "He Is There!, S. 262" is a complex and multi-layered work that reflects Ives' unique musical style. The piece combines traditional choral techniques with modernist harmonies and dissonances, creating a powerful and emotional experience for the listener.

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