Chorus Unaccompanied or with Keyboard

Charles Ives (1874–1954), a lifelong optimist, was shocked and deeply hurt by the German invasion of Belgium which started in August 1914; when Antwerp surrender-ed in October, Ives dashed a musical tirade he called “Sneak Thief,” referring to the German leader Kaiser Willhelm. Ives continued venting in letters and the marginalia of his musical manuscripts. Sneak Thief presents as a private scream. In 1917 Ives took a more practical approach, composing a patriotic song “He Is There!” which has a fully public intention.

Ives, Charles

Charles Ives (1874–1954) composed at least a dozen partsongs, mostly while he was a student at Yale College (1894–98). His The Year’s at the Spring (1889 or 1892) appears to be the earliest surviving in the genre, but for SATB, not for the more common TTBB. The text is from “Pippa Passes,” no. 1 of Bells and Pomegranates (1836) by Robert Browning.

Ives, Charles text by John Greenleaf Whittier

"For you and me the world is fair" (anon.) 
Edited by Clifford Richter for TTBB qrt or cho (original version) 
Also arranged by Clifford Richter for SATB qrt or cho

"Now came still Evening on, and Twilight gray" (Milton) 
Arranged by Ronald Herder from original song 
(see also Ives's version for chamber ensemble with opt voice)

"Wake! wake, earth from your ice-bound torpor" (anon.) 
Ives Society critical edition by John Kirkpatrick

"Sunset and ev'ning star" (Tennyson) 
Ives Society critical edition by John Kirkpatrick

"God of my life, Thy boundless grace" (Elliott) 
Ives Society critical edition by John Kirkpatrick

"All summer long, we boys" (Ives) 
Arranged by Alexander Dashnaw from version for mixed chorus and orchestra 
(Also arranged by Jonathan Elkus for symphonic band with opt mixed chorus)