Born:
Oct. 20, 1874Birthplace:
Danbury, Connecticut, U.S.A.Died:
May 19, 1954 in New York CityAlso Known As:
Innovative American composer of the 20th century, first major composer from America and the first known composer of polytonal pieces.Type of Compositions:
He wrote symphonies, sonatas, chamber music, vocal and piano pieces, often based on American themes.Influence:
His father, who was a bandleader and music teacher, was Charles Ives' first music teacher. In 1894, he studied with Horatio Parker at Yale University.Musical Work:
Among his notable works are: 114 songs, "Third Symphony," "Second Piano Sonata (Concord)," "Variations on America," "Three Places in New England," "Central Park in the Dark" and "General William Booth Enters into Heaven."Interesting Facts:
He worked as an insurance clerk and was very successful in his position that, by 1906, he even formed an insurance partnership called Ives & Myrick with his friend Julian Myrick. In 1930, he retired from his insurance business.Ives was married to Harmony Twichell. His Third Symphony won a Pulitzer Prize in 1947.
