This CD is the first of a new cycle of Ives's songs on the budget-priced Naxos label. The format of the series mirrors the audacity and creativity of the music. The songs are arranged in alphabetical order which presents them in a way which is musically random. Songs from Ives's youth are interspersed with works of his maturity. In addition the songs are performed by a collection of young singers, ranging from bass to soprano with a countertenor included for good measure. There is a similar variety of pianists and other accompanists. Thus, this recording features 13 vocalists accompanied by four different pianists, a string quartet, an organ, and a glockenspiel on 29 Ives songs beginning with the "A's" (actually with the numbers in a half-minute song called "1.2.3" and ending in the "C's" with an Ives Lullaby, the "Cradle Song" of 1919.

Tracklist:

1, 2, 3
Abide with me
Aeschylus and Sophocles
Afterglow
Allegro
The All-Enduring
Amphion
Ann Street
At Parting
At Sea
At the River
August
Autumn
Because of You
Because Thou Art
Berceuse
The Cage
The Camp Meeting
Canon I
Canon II
Chanson de Florian
Charlie Rutlage
The Children's Hour
Edith Osborne Ives - Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol
The Circus Band
The Collection
Country Celestial
Cradle Song

UPC: 636943926925
Label: Naxos American
Release Date: 6.24.08
Format: CD

Ives / Berman / Dickson - Songs 1 (CD)