So close to greatness

The music of Charles Ives has baffled, beguiled and bewildered performers and audiences alike ever since the brilliant insurance salesman put pen to staff. In this survey of the music for violin and piano (and voice via Mathew Fuerst’s first-rate transcriptions) Jasper Wood and David Riley have done a great, if at times uneven, service to the still evolving admiration and acceptance of, arguably, America’s most creative composer. Surprisingly, the two sonatas take a back seat to the Songs and single-movement works. In the opening 4th, “Children’s Day at the Camp Meeting,” it takes some time for the music to settle. More fun, less angst would be truer to the intent; a childlike wink rather than an adult stare-down (and a much less reverberant piano rendering) would improve the result. In the 3rd, with its truly wonderful echo via accompanying “harp” arpeggios of Brahms’ Vier Gesänge für Frauenchor, the underpinnings are faithfully reproduced, yet the phrasings’ arcs need to be extended. The challenge with Ives is not to fall into the too-studied trap and escape the apparent confines of the bar lines. It falls to “Decoration Day,” with its brilliantly proportioned “bringing in the weaves” to fully reveal the talent and artistry of the Wood and Riley. But it’s the world première recording of the Songs that lift this album from “goodwork” to “must have.” Exquisite control allows the Schubertian comfort and joy to permeate “Night of Frost in May.” Real passion convincingly floats the “En bateau” of “Eyes so Dark.” “Kären’s” helpings of Schumann and Brahms combine for a truly scrumptious sweet nothing. “In Summer Fields” rolls along tonality’s lane with Romantic ease even as a morsel of “O Holy Night” lurks intriguingly in the melodic weeds. The discreet changes, impassioned declamation and polished pizzicati push “Rosamunde” to the top. “Omens and Oracles” benefits mightily from the pair’s rhapsodic push and pull. The “simple” reflection found in every breath of “Berceuse” bids a fond “adieu” to this remarkable collection.

Charles Ives (1874-1954)
Works for Violin & Piano
Jasper Wood, Violin
David Riley, Piano

Sonata No. 4 for violin & piano (“Children’s Day at the Camp Meeting,” S.63)
        I. Allegro   2:11
        II. Largo    5:43
        III. Allegro 1:38

Decoration Day, S.64 (edited by John Kirkpatrick)
Decoration Day 4:38

Largo for violin & piano
Largo 7:27

Sonata No. 3 for violin & piano, S.62
        I. Adagio 12:02
        II. Allegro    4:08
        III. Adagio (Cantabile)   8:36

Songs (world première recording of arrangement for violin & piano by Mathew Fuerst)
        From “Night of Frost in May” (S.309)   1:11
        Weil’ Auf Mir (“Eyes So Dark,” S.250)    2:02
        Kären  1:08
        Feldeinsamkeit (“In Summer Fields,” S250) 2:28
        Rosamunde (S.337)  1:51
        Omens and Oracles (S.317) 2:32
        Berceuse (S.220)    1:25

You can order this CD through www.cduniverse.com.