Discography

About

The first comprehensive Charles Ives discography, compiled by Richard Warren, was published in 1972. In the decades following, Warren, along with staff of the Yale Collection of Historical Sound Recordings, continued documenting newly released recordings of Ives’ music. With support from the Charles Ives Society, Kevin Sherwin completed compiling the discography to include recordings until 2019, and Nicholas Brewer edited and facilitated its online publication and search functions.

This online discography is a comprehensive and searchable list, presented in order of the table of contents listed below. For each composition, recordings are listed in chronological order. The table of contents is based on the structure of James Sinclair’s A Descriptive Catalogue of the Music of Charles Ives, which reflects the current catalogue of recordings of Charles Ives’ music. For more detailed explanations of the discography’s compilation and use of this website, please see the above links to the Preface and Usage Guide.

Table of Contents
I. Orchestra Music
i. Symphonies
ii. Other music for symphony orchestra
iii. Music for chamber or theatre orchestra
iv. Music for band
II. Chamber Music
i. String quartets
ii. Music for various combinations
iii. Sonatas for violin and piano
III. Keyboard Music
i. Piano sonatas
ii. Other music for piano
iii. Piano duets
iv. Organ music
IV. Choral Music
i. Cantata
ii. Other music for chorus and orchestra
iii. Sacred choral music
iv. Secular partsongs
V. Songs
i. A-E
ii. F-L
iii. M-R
iv. S-V
v. W-Y

Featured Recordings - World Premieres, First Recordings, and First Broadcasts

A SET OF THREE SHORT PIECES; i.LARGO CANTABILE;...
A SET OF THREE SHORT PIECES; i.LARGO CANTABILE; ii. SCHERZO; iii. ADAGIO CANTABILE (II-B-16) (84)

Recorded from broadcast of WABC, New York
i. See also HYMN; (i. only)
Notes on the Recording:
Announced as the first broadcast of any Ives composition (March 14, 1938), Ives’ Largo for Strings is performed by the Columbia Chamber Orchestra, conducted by early Ives champion Bernard Herrmann. The orchestra plays the lyrical lines of the composition with noticeable intensity, especially at moments of harmonic dissonance. As well, the ensemble occasionally speeds up and slows down the tempo to heighten the expressive effects of the music.
External Links:

Streaming access to sound recordings in this collection is available when connected to the Yale University network, or otherwise by request. To request access to this recording, email musicspecialcollections@yale.edu.

https://archives.yale.edu/repositories/6/archival_objects/2442293
Recording Date/Location:
March 14, 1938 (broadcast date) , New York City, NY
Performing Artists:
Columbia Chamber Orchestra; Bernard Herrmann, conductor
Record Label, Release Number, Format, Release Year:
Yale Charles Ives Non-Commercial Sound Recordings 39002038371200, 78 RPM Test Pressing.
A SYMPHONY: "NEW ENGLAND HOLIDAYS": i....
A SYMPHONY: "NEW ENGLAND HOLIDAYS": i. WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY; ii. DECORATION DAY; iii. THE FOURTH OF JULY; iv. THANKSGIVING (Text: O God! beneath Thy guiding hand . . .) (I-A-4) (5 (5i., 5ii., 5iii, 5iv.))
Text by Leonard Bacon
Recorded during a performance of the work in Washington, CT; (i., only)

Notes on the Recording:
This early Ives recording includes an excerpt from Washington’s Birthday, which begins at the Allegro at measure 56. Jo Hawthorne conducts the Cape Cod Symphony Society in an interpretation that highlights the folk-like atmosphere of the music. The orchestra plays with a graceful sense of rhythmic drive, frequently bringing out the quoted traditional melodies over the surrounding dissonant textures.
External Links:

Streaming access to sound recordings in this collection is available when connected to the Yale University network, or otherwise by request. To request access to this recording, email musicspecialcollections@yale.edu.

https://archives.yale.edu/repositories/6/archival_objects/2442451
Recording Date/Location:
August 22, 1941
Performing Artists:
Cape Cod Symphony Society; Jo Hawthorne, conductor
Record Label, Release Number, Format, Release Year:
Yale Charles Ives Non-Commercial Sound Recordings 39002038370806, 1/4 inch sound tape reel.
BERCEUSE (O'er the mountain toward the West...
BERCEUSE (O'er the mountain toward the West . . .) (VI-B-41-d) (220)
Text by the composer
Recorded from WNYC broadcast

Notes on the Recording:
The Works Progress Administration sponsored numerous radio broadcasts featuring American music, describing Charles Ives as “among the most original and extraordinary composers of America.” This program includes a live recital featuring Gretchen Gantvoort, soprano and Thomas Weil, piano, performing Ives’ “Berceuse.” In this early Ives recording, the listener can hear slight pauses in Gantvoort’s singing, which create moments of suspense and emphasis within her delivery of the text. As well, she sings with a notably wide dynamic range, as well as a quick, narrow vibrato throughout the piece.
External Links:

Streaming access to sound recordings in this collection is available when connected to the Yale University network, or otherwise by request. To request access to this recording, email musicspecialcollections@yale.edu.

https://archives.yale.edu/repositories/6/archival_objects/2442235
Recording Date/Location:
September 28, 1939, WPA Community Building, The World's Fair, NYC.
Performing Artists:
Gretchen Gantvoort, soprano; Thomas Weil, piano
Record Label, Release Number, Format, Release Year:
Yale Charles Ives Non-Commercial Sound Recordings 39002038371572, 78 RPM Test Pressing.
QUARTET, STRINGS, NO. 1: FROM THE SALVATION ARMY...
QUARTET, STRINGS, NO. 1: FROM THE SALVATION ARMY; i. CHORALE (later this movement was included in SYMPHONY NO. 4 and the other movements were renumbered); ii. PRELUDE; iii. OFFERTORY; iv. POSTLUDE (II-A-1) (57)

Recorded from WABC broadcast; (I & ii, arranged for string orchestra by Bernard Herrmann). Recorded from WABC broadcast. (ii & iii, arranged for string orchestra by Bernard Herrmann)

Notes on the Recording:
The String Quartet No. 1 is included in this radio broadcast from the 1940s, performed by members of the Columbia Concert Orchestra, conducted by early Ives champion, Bernard Herrmann. This performance of the quartet was also arranged for string orchestra by Herrmann. The recording displays spirited, rhythmical, and expressive playing throughout the movements. To match the musical contrasts over the course of the piece, the orchestra alternates between lyrical and articulate phrasing styles.
External Links:

Streaming access to sound recordings in this collection is available when connected to the Yale University network, or otherwise by request. To request access to this recording, email musicspecialcollections@yale.edu.

https://archives.yale.edu/repositories/6/archival_objects/2442452 , https://archives.yale.edu/repositories/6/archival_objects/2442453
Recording Date/Location:
March 16, 1943, New York City, NY.
Performing Artists:
Columbia Concert Orchestra; Bernard Herrmann, conductor
Record Label, Release Number, Format, Release Year:
Yale Charles Ives Non-Commercial Sound Recordings 39002038370814, 1/4 inch sound tape reel. Yale Charles Ives Non-Commercial Sound Recordings 39002038370822, 1/4 inch sound tape reel.
SET FOR THEATRE ORCHESTRA; i. IN THE CAGE; ii. IN...
SET FOR THEATRE ORCHESTRA; i. IN THE CAGE; ii. IN THE INN; iii. IN THE NIGHT (I-C-28) (20)

Recorded from broadcast of WABC, New York. (i. & iii. only)
i. see also THE CAGE; ii. see also SONATA, PIANO, NO. 1: ii/b
Notes on the Recording:
“In the Cage” and “In the Night” are included in this radio broadcast from the 1940s, performed by the Eastman Symphony, with Frederick Fennell conducting. To introduce Ives, the broadcaster says, “one is often startled to observe that the spirit of modernity is not necessarily the exclusive property of the young. The desire to break from tradition is a personal rather than a temporal characteristic… It is only at the present time that his [Ives’] compositions are meeting with general understanding.” In this early recording of Ives’ music, the orchestra plays with dark timbres along with a winding sense of pulse. Notably, the orchestra does not emphasize the complexity of the rhythms and metric changes. Rather, they create a continuous sound and blended rhythmic texture to evoke a haunting musical atmosphere.
External Links:

Streaming access to sound recordings in this collection is available when connected to the Yale University network, or otherwise by request. To request access to this recording, email musicspecialcollections@yale.edu.

https://archives.yale.edu/repositories/6/archival_objects/2442452
Recording Date/Location:
November 11, 1941, New York City, NY
Performing Artists:
Eastman School of Music Orchestra; Frederick Fennell, conductor
Record Label, Release Number, Format, Release Year:
Yale Charles Ives Non-Commercial Sound Recordings 39002038370814, 1/4 inch sound tape reel.
SONATA, VIOLIN & PIANO, NO. 3
SONATA, VIOLIN & PIANO, NO. 3 (II-C-6) (62)

Recorded from broadcast of WOR, New York (these artists performed the work in recitals in New York City November 11, 1946 & April 29, 1948).

Notes on the Recording:
The three movements of Ives’ Third Sonata for Violin & Piano are included on this ca. 1948 radio program of the Mutual Broadcasting System. Violinist Madeleine Carabo and pianist Carol Robinson offer a virtuosic interpretation, with detailed attention to Ives’ expressive indications in the score. Their playing ranges from lyrical to forceful, shifting with the numerous moods of the sonata.
External Links:

Streaming access to sound recordings in this collection is available when connected to the Yale University network, or otherwise by request. To request access to this recording, email musicspecialcollections@yale.edu.

https://archives.yale.edu/repositories/6/archival_objects/2442472
Recording Date/Location:
ca. 1948, New York City, NY.
Performing Artists:
Madeleine Carabo, violin; Carol Robinson, piano
Record Label, Release Number, Format, Release Year:
Yale Charles Ives Non-Commercial Sound Recordings 39002038370871, 1/4 inch sound tape reel.
THE SIDE SHOW (Is that Mr. Reilly . . .)
THE SIDE SHOW (Is that Mr. Reilly . . .) (VI-B-66) (348)
Text by the composer, quoting Pat Rooney
Recorded from broadcast of WNYC of recital.

Notes on the Recording:
The Works Progress Administration sponsored numerous radio broadcasts featuring American music, describing Charles Ives as “among the most original and extraordinary composers of America.” This program includes a live recital featuring Gretchen Gantvoort, soprano and Thomas Weil, piano, performing Ives’ “The Side Show.” In this early Ives recording, Gantvoort sings with frequently short, speech-like articulations and a very free sense of pulse. The pianist, Thomas Weil, matches Gantvoort, which articulate and rhythmical playing. Together, these expressive aspects create a feeling of spontaneity and story-telling, complementing the nature of the song’s text.
External Links:

Streaming access to sound recordings in this collection is available when connected to the Yale University network, or otherwise by request. To request access to this recording, email musicspecialcollections@yale.edu.

https://archives.yale.edu/repositories/6/archival_objects/2442235
Recording Date/Location:
September 28, 1939, WPA Community Building Theatre, The World's Fair, New York City, NY
Performing Artists:
Gretchen Gantvoort, soprano; Thomas Weil, piano
Record Label, Release Number, Format, Release Year:
Yale Charles Ives Non-Commercial Sound Recordings 39002038371572, 78 RPM Test Pressing.
THE WORLD'S HIGHWAY (For long I wander'...
THE WORLD'S HIGHWAY (For long I wander'd happily . . .) (VI-B-42-c) (397)
Text by Harmony Twichell Ives
Broadcast of WNYC

Notes on the Recording:
The Works Progress Administration sponsored numerous radio broadcasts featuring American music, describing Charles Ives as “among the most original and extraordinary composers of America.” This program includes a live recital featuring Gretchen Gantvoort, soprano and Thomas Weil, piano, performing Ives’ “The World’s Highway.” In this early Ives recording, Gantvoort sings with nuanced vocal phrasings that include a flexibility of pulse to complement the musical gestures of the composition. Strikingly, both Gantvoort and pianist Thomas Weil coordinate various immediate fluctuations in dynamics, which highlight the corresponding moments of the text.
External Links:

Streaming access to sound recordings in this collection is available when connected to the Yale University network, or otherwise by request. To request access to this recording, email musicspecialcollections@yale.edu.

https://archives.yale.edu/repositories/6/archival_objects/2442235
Recording Date/Location:
September 28, 1939, WPA Community Building Theatre, The World's Fair, New York City, NY.
Performing Artists:
Gretchen Gantvoort, soprano; Thomas Weil, piano
Record Label, Release Number, Format, Release Year:
Yale Charles Ives Non-Commercial Sound Recordings 39002038371572, 78 RPM Test Pressing.

Recordings

Search pieces, artists, dates, locations, record label, release number/format/year, text by, and additional notes

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Recording Date/Location Performing Artists Record Label, Release Number, Format, Release Year Album Names Additional Recording Notes
V. Songs
v. W-Y
WALT WHITMAN (Who goes there? . . .) (VI-B-64-c) (190 (ensemble), 384 (medium voice))
Text by Walt Whitman
January 1952 Jacqueline Greissle, soprano; Josef Wolman, piano SPA Records SPA9 (Matrix: XTV19431), 33.3 RPM (1953). Songs of Sylvester Revueltas and Charles Ives
May 11, 1963, McMillin Theatre, Columbia University, New York City, NY. Norma Marder, soprano; James Tenney, piano Capitol (no number), LP (1963). Ives Concert Broadcast of WKCRFM
September 13-17, 1965, Cue Studios, New York City, NY. Ted Puffer, tenor; James Tenney, piano Folkways FM3345, 33.3 RPM (1965). Smithsonian Folkways FW03345, CD (2004). Charles Ives Songs, Volume 2
April 28, 1966, recital hall at the New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, MA. Donna Klimowski, soprano; John Moriarty, piano. Recorded by Stephen B. Fassett
May 4, 1966, Hollywood, CA. The Gregg Smith Singers; Columbia Symphony Orchestra; Gregg Smith, conductor Columbia MS7321 (Matrix: XXSM150546), stereo 33.3 RPM (1969). New Music of Charles Ives: Seventeen First Recordings for Solo Voice, Chorus and Chamber Orchestra
February 1969, City College of New York, New York City, NY. Elinore Amlen, soprano; Eddy Kronengold, piano Yale Charles Ives Non-Commercial Sound Recordings 39002038374121, 1/4 inch sound tape reel.
October 6, 1969, New York City, NY. Thomas Stewart, baritone; Alan Mandel, piano Columbia M30229, stereo 33.3 RPM (1971). American Scenes, American Poets
ca. 1975 Elizabeth Suderburg, singer; Robert Suderburg, piano OLY-104, 33.3 RPM (1975). American Sampler
February and March 1991, Maison de Radio-France, France. Nicholas Isherwood, bass; Eric Watson, piano Accord 201812, CD (1991). Charles Ives (1874-1954): Melodies
May 14-16, 1991, St. Barnabas Church, Woodside Park, London, UK. Henry Herford, baritone; Robin Bowman, piano Unicorn-Kanchana DKP-9112, CD (1991). Charles Ives: Songs, Volume 2
August 1991, McLean, VA. Michael Ingham, baritone; Harry Brant, piano AmCam recordings APR-10306CD, CD (1991). Henry Brant Plays, Michael Ingram Sings Charles Ives
September 17-27, 1991, American Academy of Arts and Letters, New York City, NY. Paul Sperry, tenor; Irma Vallecillo, piano Albany TROY-079, CD (1994). The Complete Songs of Charles Ives, Vol. III
October 1993 and January 1994, London, England, UK. Thomas Hampson, baritone; Craig Rutenberg, piano EMI 7243 5 55028 2 7, CD (1997). Thomas Hampson
May 29, 1999- June 2, 1999, Bad Münder, Germany Veronica Lenz-Kuhn, soprano; Tan Crone, piano Thorofon CTH-2406, CD (1999). Charles Ives: Lieder
May-June 2005, Sprague Hall, Yale University, New Haven, CT. Ryan MacPherson, tenor; Eric Trudel, piano Naxos 8.559274, CD (2008). Charles Ives: Songs, Volume 6
March 20-22, 2006 Jill Feldman, soprano; Jeannette Koekkoek, piano Olive Music OM-011, CD (2007). Charles Ives: Songs
ca. 2016 Florian Just, baritone; Jan-Paul Grijpink, piano Etcetera KTC1545, CD (Holland, 2016). Monologe
WALTZ (VI-B-19) (385)
Text by Walt Whitman
November-December 1978, Lutkin Hall, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL Walter Carringer, tenor; Will Crutchfield, piano Brewster Records BR-1299, LP (1979). Early Songs
September 1980 and January 1981, Lukaskirche, Dresden, Germany. Heinz Reeh, bass; Werner Schieke, piano ETERNA 8 27 566, 33.3 RPM (1983). Berlin Classics 0092542BC, CD (1997). Lieder
ca. 1986 Eliot Fisk, guitar; Paula Robison, flute Music Masters MMD-20115, 33.3 RPM (1986). Music Masters 40115K, cassette (1986). MusicMasters MMD-60115H, CD (1986). Nimbus NI2560, CD (2010). Mountain Songs: A Cycle of American Folk Music
May 14-16, 1991, St. Barnabas Church, Woodside Park, London, UK. Henry Herford, baritone; Robin Bowman, piano Unicorn-Kanchana DKP-9112, CD (1991). Charles Ives: Songs, Volume 2
September 17-27, 1991, American Academy of Arts and Letters, New York City, NY. William Sharp, baritone; Steven Blier, piano Albany TROY-077, CD (1994). The Complete Songs of Charles Ives, Vol. I
June 2-6, 2003, Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall, Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria, VA. "The President's Own" United States Marine Band; Timothy W. Foley, director USMB CD-19, CD (2003). Charles Ives's America (Suite, "Old Home Days," arranged by Jonathan Elkus)
May-June 2005, Sprague Hall, Yale University, New Haven, CT. Patrick Carfizzi, baritone; J.J. Penna, piano Naxos 8.559274, CD (2008). Charles Ives: Songs, Volume 6
February 24 & 25, 2008, Brooklyn Recording, New York City, NY Theo Bleckmann, voice and live electronic processing; Kneebody Winter and Winter W&W 910 147-2, CD (2008). Twelve Songs by Charles Ives (Mixed July 2 & 3, 2008, Fluxx Studio, Munich, Germany)
ca. 2011 Catherine Vickers, piano Ars Musici 13632, CD (2011). Walzer im Wandel des 20. Jahrhunderts = Waltzes Throughout the 20th Century
WAR SONG
see HE IS THERE!
WAR SONG MARCH
see THEY ARE THERE!
WATCHMAN (Watchman, tell us of the night . . .) (VI-B-48-d) (386)
Text by John Bowring
1967, Boston, MA. Jean Lunn, soprano; Susan Williams, piano. Yale Charles Ives Non-Commercial Sound Recordings 39002038372232, 1/4 inch sound tape reel. Jean Lunn: Five Songs by Charles Ives Recorded by Stephen C. Fassett
January 28, 1969 William Pearson, baritone; Wilhelm Neuhaus, piano Yale Charles Ives Non-Commercial Sound Recordings 39002038374139, 1/4 inch sound tape reel.
October 12 or 19, 1970, Wahlberg Recording Studios, San Francisco, CA. Peter Del Grande, baritone; Vladimir Pleshakov, piano Custom Division of Orion Records CST-106, LP (1970). Peter Del Grande Sings Charles Ives
April 12, 1977, 7-11 PM, Columbia Recording Studios, 30th Street, New York City, NY William Parker, baritone; Dalton Baldwin, piano New World Records, NW-300, LP (1978). New World Records 80463-2, CD (1995). Songs, Selections: Nine Songs by Charles Ives
November 8-11, 1983, New England Conservatory, Boston, MA The Conservatory Chorus; Lorna Cooke de Varon, conductor; John Heiss, piccolo New England Conservatory NEC-122, 33.3 RPM (1984). Charles Ives: New England Conservatory, November 8-11, 1983
ca. 1984 Roberta Alexander, soprano; Tan Crone, piano. Etcetera KTC-1020, 33.3 RPM (1984, Netherlands). Etcetera KTC-1068, CD (2004). Etcetera KTC-2508, CD (2005). Charles Ives Songs
September 17-27, 1991, American Academy of Arts and Letters, New York City, NY. Mary Ann Hart, mezzo-soprano; Dennis Helmrich, piano Albany TROY-079, CD (1994). The Complete Songs of Charles Ives, Vol. III
May-June 2005, Sprague Hall, Yale University, New Haven, CT. Mary Phillips, mezzo-soprano; J.J. Penna, piano Naxos 8.559274, CD (2008). Charles Ives: Songs, Volume 6
February 16-20, 2007 Gerald Finley, baritone; Julius Drake, piano Hyperion CDA-67644, CD (2008). Romanzo, di Central Park
Recorded: March 18-20, 2008, The Recital Hall at The Performing Arts Center, Purchase College, State University of New York, NY. Susan Narucki, soprano; Donald Berman, piano New World Records 80680-2, CD (2008). The Light That is Felt: Songs of Charles Ives
June 8-10, 2010 at hr-Sendesaal Frankfurt am Main, Germany Ensemble für Neue Musik Zürich; Sebastian Gottschick, conductor and arranger; Omar Ebrahim, baritone Hat Hut B00ALZ7BLU, CD (2012). Charles Ives: A Songbook (arrangement for instrumental ensemble by Sebastian Gottschick)
April 4, 6, 2014 at Systems Two Studio, Brooklyn, NY; Lighthouse Recordings, Staten Island, NY Players from the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, and the Mingus Dynasty Big Band; Jack Cooper, conductor Planet Arts Recordings 101420 (2014). Mists: Charles Ives for Jazz Orchestra (arrangement for jazz orchestra by Jack Cooper)
WE'RE SITTING IN THE OPERA HOUSE
see MEMORIES: A, VERY PLEASANT...
WEIL' AUF MIR (VI-B-39-b) (387)
October 12 or 19, 1970, Wahlberg Recording Studios, San Francisco, CA. Peter Del Grande, baritone; Vladimir Pleshakov, piano Custom Division of Orion Records CST-106, LP (1970). Peter Del Grande Sings Charles Ives
December 1 & 2, 1975, Studio Lankwitz, Berlin, Germany. Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Baritone, Michael Ponti, Piano Deutsche Grammophon 2530 696, 33.3 RPM (1976). Deutsche Grammophon 463 514-2, CD (2003). Charles Ives: Songs - Lieder. Fischer-Dieskau Edition: Debussy - Ravel - Ives.
ca. 1984 Roberta Alexander, soprano; Tan Crone, piano. Etcetera KTC-1020, 33.3 RPM (1984, Netherlands). Etcetera KTC-1068, CD (2004). Etcetera KTC-2508, CD (2005). Charles Ives Songs
October 1990, June 1991, American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters, New York City, NY. Thomas Hampson, baritone; Armen Guzelimian, piano Teldec 9031-72168-2, CD (1991). Lieder: Ives, MacDowell, Griffes
September 17-27, 1991, American Academy of Arts and Letters, New York City, NY. Dora Ohrenstein, soprano; Phillip Bush, piano Albany TROY-079, CD (1994). The Complete Songs of Charles Ives, Vol. III
June 1995, Bradley Hills Presbetyrian Church, Bethesda, MD. Vocal Arts Quartet: Rosa Lamoreaux, soprano; Beverly Benso, alto; Samuel Gordon, tenor; Robert Kennedy, baritone; Francis Conlon, piano; Howard Bass, guitar; Mary Findlay, violin; Bruce Hutton, banjos Koch 3-7392-2-H1, CD (1997). Gentle Annie: Stephen Foster - Charles Ives
November 10-12, 2004, All Saints Church, East Finchley, London, UK. Gerald Finley, baritone; Julius Drake, piano Hyperion CDA-67516, CD (2005). Ives: A Song - For Anything
December 14-17, 2004, Burlington, Ontario, Canada Jasper Wood, violin; David Riley, piano Endeavour Classics END-1012, CD (2005). Ives: Works for Violin & Piano (arrangement for violin and piano by Matthew Fuerst)
May-June 2005, Sprague Hall, Yale University, New Haven, CT. Robert Gardner, baritone; J.J. Penna, piano Naxos 8.559274, CD (2008). Charles Ives: Songs, Volume 6

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