Charles Ives (1874-1954)

Widely regarded as America's most seminal composer, Charles Ives is having twin anniversaries in 2004 and accordingly a worldwide profusion of performances in his honor. The year marks the 130th anniversary of his birth and the 50th of his death.

The Charles Ives Society has issued a handsome and informative brochure containing a short biography and listing of the complete works and their sources. In a covering memo, Todd Vunderink of Peermusic Classical, one of Ives's principal publishers, writes: "Ives was a fascinating figure, full of contradictions. He was a visionary, he was a provocateur; he invoked timeless mysteries, yet he was cagey about his position as a musical modernist; his musical materials were of the people, but used in the most phantasmagoric ways; and though his music heartiy commented on the life and music around him, he did not often urge it on performers."

Readers are invited to browse the Web site of The Charles Ives Society (www.charlesives.org).

Three of Ives's works, Central Park in the Dark, Hallowe'en, and The Pond are published by Mobart Music Publications, Inc. and distributed in North America by Jerona Music Corporation.