Variations on America Charles Ives

The son of a Civil War Army band leader, Charles Ives became a church organist at age 14 and composed his Variations on America for a Fourth of July concert when he was 17. It is a theme and variations on My Country ‘tis of Thee, presenting the familiar tune as a march; in a minor key; as a polonaise; a barbershop quartet; and a polyphonic tune (played in 2 keys at once, possibly the first time this was done). Ives went on to graduate from Yale and had a stellar career in the insurance business: he founded the company of Ives and Myrick and developed the concept of estate planning. This superstar of the insurance industry didn’t achieve his fame as an iconic American composer until after his death.
Program Note by Patricia Matos Puente, MD