A great set, endlessly fascinating and entertaining.
Karl Henzy | 03/02/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is simply great music. Ives moves in the blink of an eye from traditional ditties to crashing dissonances, and somehow it all works. Don't assume that the 3d and 4th Sonatas are somehow more "advanced" than the 1st and 2d--they're not. Right from the start of the 1st, this music keeps moving in surprising and delightful ways. Worth many many listens. For the price of one disc, you get two great discs containing what may be the greatest cycle of Sonatas for Violin and Piano of the century. And by the way--these Sonatas of Ives resist the shorthand, "Violin Sonata," more than any I can think of. The writing for the piano is equally compelling to that of the writing for violin."
Great performances, wasteful packaging
madamemusico | Cincinnati, Ohio USA | 05/22/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I agree with everything positive said by the other reviewers about this set. This is some of my favorite music by Ives, and it is beautifully performed here by Fulkerson and Shannon. My complaint stems from the fact that both CDs put together only come out to 79 minutes and 42 seconds, which means the whole set could have, and should have, been put on one CD instead of two. And no, it is NOT two CDs for the "price of one," as one reviewer has stated. When was the last time YOU spent $34 for one CD?? Still, it is a great set. Save your pennies and get it if you like Ives and/or violin sonatas."
Ragging
simpcity | 11/04/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"An excellent recording with ample notes on the source material. This is some of the prettiest music in the twentieth century repertoire. Ives often reworked material, his own and others, and was fond of deconstructing hymns and patriotic songs. Sometimes, he just wants to rag.
I like the Second and Third Sonatas the best, but I suspect that Charley would have preferred the Fourth (called "Children's Day at Camp Meeting"). The camp meetings were as important to his musical formation as his dad's marching bands. Not a practicing Christian myself, nevertheless I find it impossible to refrain from joining in on "Jesus Loves Me" or "Shall We Gather at the River." It never was this nice at Sunday school.
Ives reworked much of this material into his symphonies and more "challenging" works. These sonatas are an excellent introduction to Ives; better yet, they are a wonderful introduction to classical music."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1