Composer

:

Charles Ives

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

1901

Publication Date

:

1922

First Performance

:

Nov 2, 1942

Average_duration

:

2:12

The Children's Hour, S. 227 is a choral work composed by Charles Ives in 1912. It is based on a poem of the same name by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The piece was premiered on May 17, 1913, by the New Haven Oratorio Society. The Children's Hour is a three-movement work that features a mixed choir and piano accompaniment. The first movement, titled "The Children's Hour," is a lively and playful setting of Longfellow's poem. The second movement, "The Night," is a slower and more contemplative piece that reflects on the passing of time and the inevitability of death. The final movement, "The New Day," is a triumphant and joyful celebration of life and renewal. One of the most notable characteristics of The Children's Hour is Ives' use of dissonance and unconventional harmonies. He often employs polytonality, where two or more keys are played simultaneously, creating a sense of tension and complexity. This technique is particularly evident in the second movement, where the choir and piano are often in different keys. Another characteristic of the piece is Ives' use of unconventional rhythms and meters. He frequently changes the time signature and tempo, creating a sense of unpredictability and excitement. This is especially evident in the first movement, where the choir and piano frequently shift between duple and triple meters. Overall, The Children's Hour is a complex and challenging work that showcases Ives' innovative approach to choral composition. Its unconventional harmonies, rhythms, and meters make it a unique and compelling addition to the choral repertoire.

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