Composer

:

Charles Ives

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1894

Publication Date

:

1922

First Performance

:

Feb 1, 1942

Average_duration

:

2:28

'A Christmas Carol, S. 228' is a choral work composed by Charles Ives in 1898. The piece was premiered on December 22, 1913, by the New York Oratorio Society at Carnegie Hall. The work is divided into four movements, each representing a different scene from the classic Charles Dickens novel, 'A Christmas Carol.' The first movement, titled "Christmas Eve," sets the scene for the story with a gentle and peaceful melody. The choir sings of the quietness of the night and the anticipation of the coming holiday. The movement is characterized by its use of rich harmonies and lush textures. The second movement, "Marley's Ghost," is more ominous in tone. The choir sings of the ghostly apparition of Jacob Marley, warning Ebenezer Scrooge of the consequences of his selfish ways. The movement is marked by dissonant harmonies and a sense of foreboding. The third movement, "Christmas Present," is a joyful celebration of the holiday. The choir sings of the happiness and goodwill that surrounds Christmas, with a lively and energetic melody. The movement is characterized by its use of syncopated rhythms and bright harmonies. The final movement, "Christmas Yet to Come," is the most somber of the four. The choir sings of the bleak future that awaits Scrooge if he does not change his ways. The movement is marked by its use of dissonant harmonies and a sense of despair. Overall, 'A Christmas Carol, S. 228' is a masterful choral work that captures the spirit of the classic Dickens novel. Ives' use of rich harmonies, lush textures, and dissonant harmonies creates a powerful and emotional experience for the listener. The work remains a beloved holiday classic to this day.

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