Charles Ives - Symphony No. 2 (Leonard Bernstein) (3/3)
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- Опубліковано 19 січ 2025
- Leonard Bernstein conducts Second Symphony of the american composer Charles Ives (1874-1954), with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, in 1987.
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What is absolutely wonderful about the final chord is that Ives used every note from the chromatic scale but one. (I don't know which note he left out). Ives had a marvelous sense of humor.
It contains all of the pitches except B and C! :)
This wonderful symphony deserves much more performances than it gets.
One of the most amazing pieces of the 20th century.... and yes... humor *does* belong in music!
I have not listened to this symphony much; it's great. You would think this is something American orchestras should take on tour. Cool to see the Bavarian Radio Symphony playing it. Also great to see Irena Grafenauer, at the end of her too-short tenure (1977-87) as principal flute.
What is wonderful is how the audience absolutely loved this work
Love this! Bernstein was great, and what an orchestra! Ives is fantastic of course.. genius.
I consider this symphony a nod to the great American diversity. To me, the final chord symbolizes the strength of "harmony" in "dissonance" in a humorous way. Bernstein's is my favorite interpretation. For your info, my local FM radio station, KUSC 91.5 in Los Angeles, often includes this symphony in their Fourth of July program, and I always appreciated listening to it while celebrating our Independence Day, as much as I imagine the French would celebrate their Bastille Day on the 14th of July while singing the Marseillaise.
The more I listen to this performance..........what a great orchestra, and Berstein does a magnificent job.
Ah, the last chord. With that chord, Ives said good bye to Horatio Parker, once and for all! I have reveled in the marvwelous work for most of my life. This is, by far and away, the perfect performance.
best symphony written by an American composer
amazing creativity by the timpanist from 6:45 until 6:53
Intriguing to learn of America's first classical composer who made a living in the insurance profession and is recently earning the recognition he truly deserves.
+Stephen Fernbach He's not really American's first classical composer but I get your drift. That's the way it is for a lot of artists. Hard world. As far as his getting recognition he deserves that depends--still not really played in American concert halls, most unfortunately.
Everyone should listen to a wonderful concert band transcription, played in dazzling style by the U.S. Marine Band. Type in "Finale from Symphony No. 2--Charles Ives" I promise you wont be disappointed. (The last chord is short, as written.)
The final chord should not be subjected to musical analysis, but recognized for what it is-- a musical "raspberry", the sound made by sticking the tongue out and blowing. "Well, poo on you!" Bernstein's expression shows that he understood perfectly. I cannot hear this without guffawing, whether at home listening on You Tube or in the staid confines of Symphony Hall in Boston. It's the reaction Ives was shooting for.
WJohnM every note in the chromatic scale except concert B
The orchestra seemed to enjoy playing this.
That last note - some years back, the NY Phil issued a 10-disc set of live radio performances by Bernstein and the NYP. Included was the world premiere of Ives 2 given in 1949. It is said that crusty old Ives stayed home and listened on the kitchen radio. Bernstein played it short - as Ives had written it. A short sucker punch, not an agonized shriek.
the 1951 premiere is on UA-cam somewhere. Yes, the final chord is short, but also it's dominated by a piccolo over the top, so you miss the 'raspberry' discord. That's the only bit of this recording (36 years on, half a lifetime later!!) I'd swap for the 1951 which is full of a happy sense of the ironies in the music: here it all seems as if they're determined to make Ives part of the 'classical tradition' - I can almost hear Dvorak!
The fiddler at a barn dance plays a similar dissonant chord to let the dancers know that the show is over. It's a great joke that few get nowadays.
Ives is/was the greatest American composer, period.
Gorgeous modulation
I didn't know Mark Spitz could play Trombone so well.
I can't think of a better way to end this symphony.
At 11:50 it's Columbia, Gem of the Ocean, a popular 19th century American tune.
Oh my gosh, I love the last chord. And did I see a five string bass in that orchestra?
Contrast this reaction in 1987 to the reception it would have garnered 80 years earlier.
@dhollingw
Many thanks!
regards
Just so y'all know, that last chord is NOT supposed to be held. The score clearly has it as a short note. There's also 2 major cuts in this version. Yes, Lenny championed this work, but this is still "his" version, and not totally the symphony Ives actually wrote. Find the other version of the critical edition, played as written posted elsewhere on UA-cam. It isn't the best performance or recording, but you get to hear what the composer actually set down on paper.
note this is a European hall--a bit ironic for Ives--but where ever his work can be heard.
@tomorocko
Thanks to you!
The fingering choices the 1st horn makes on the solo are classic European. He stays on the "F" side fairly far up the scale. Great sound.
Thanks for pointing out this technical detail. It adds to my appreciation of this symphony.
Who were the people who gave a thumbs down for this video?
Wonderful performance. Thanks for sharing. Where did you get it from?
Help, I hear lots of melodies, themes, chords, tones, like parts of a mosaic but I don't see the whole. Do you understand?
Yes, but you are only a bit right. Ives wrote first that chord (cluster), and Horatio Parker, as he did many times while Ives was hi pupil, obligued him to change it. And he did so but he wasn't satisfied at all, and never agreed. You can read about it in the book, which I highly recommend, "Charles Ives Remembered, an oral history" by Vivian Perlis.
Whether or not forced Ives to change the final chord (which is debatable, despite Perlis's claim), I still much prefer the now-common, short version, since it is so much more challenging to the audience. A true WTF moment for the unprepared.
Wahaha what a jokester, that Ives. You never see it coming, or do you? ;) 12:35, that's a great facial expression :D
What is the theme trombones have at 11:50??? I've heard it before but the name escapes me...
I'd love to hear 2/3. Where is it?
3:36 Trombones quote Capetown Races
the last chord contains every note but one
its good that American music is going the 'other way' for a change---they may just learn as much of American society as we've had to learn from theirs. It takes a Berstein to get this unfamiliar music up front.
Does the Trumpet player wear glasses or not?
2:35
Phil Lesh brought me here.
Ahhhhh.... that last chord...... pisses me off, I feel like it should resolve.....
wow