27th Annual Student Research Conference
The Use of the Flute in the Songs of Charles Ives
Andrew T. Robson
Prof. Shirley McKamie, Faculty Mentor
Although the respected music critic Virgil Thomson wrote that all it takes to be an American composer is to be born in America and compose music, that is not necessarily true. Charles Ives wrote music that goes far beyond the European characteristics present in the works of many of his American contemporaries, and his music truly embodies the American personality in its inclusion of Yankee folk songs; hymns; fiddle music; minstrel music; band music; and ragtime. Ivess unique genius is particularly displayed in the way he used these American elements, as he experimented with polytonality, polyharmony, polyrhythm, tone clusters, and quarter tones years before his European counterparts. From an early age Ives arranged music for his fathers band and thus learned how to skillfully write for instruments. This research examines how Ives composed for the flute and includes a performance of some of his most interesting writing for that instrument.
Keywords: Ives, Flute, Music, Composer, songs, american
Topic(s):Music
Presentation Type: Performance Art
Session: 3-1
Location: OP Performance Hall
Time: 2:30