Composer

:

Charles Ives

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1913

Publication Date

:

1922

First Performance

:

Jan 18, 1944

Average_duration

:

0:47

Charles Ives' "Tolerance, S. 377" is a choral work that was composed in 1921. It premiered on May 18, 1922, at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Arts and Letters in New York City. The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own unique characteristics. The first movement, "The Things Our Fathers Loved," is a nostalgic reflection on the past. The lyrics, written by Ives himself, describe the things that his father loved, such as "the old church spire," "the village green," and "the country road." The music is gentle and reflective, with a simple melody and harmonies that evoke a sense of longing. The second movement, "The Majority," is a more complex and dissonant piece. The lyrics, taken from a speech by Senator Elihu Root, discuss the importance of tolerance and the dangers of intolerance. The music is characterized by shifting harmonies and rhythms, with dissonant chords and unexpected accents that create a sense of tension and urgency. The final movement, "Children's Day," is a joyful celebration of youth and innocence. The lyrics, written by Ives' wife Harmony, describe the joy and wonder of childhood, with lines like "the world is full of magic things" and "the sky is blue and high." The music is bright and lively, with a playful melody and harmonies that evoke a sense of innocence and wonder. Overall, "Tolerance, S. 377" is a complex and thought-provoking work that explores themes of nostalgia, tolerance, and childhood. The music is characterized by shifting harmonies and rhythms, with dissonant chords and unexpected accents that create a sense of tension and urgency. Despite its complexity, the piece is ultimately optimistic, celebrating the beauty and wonder of life.

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