(Back to Ives)
Having now lived in his birthplace for three decades, I’ve always been disappointed at how so many things are named after him, while the general populace has no idea who he was. They for sure wouldn’t recognize a note of his music if it walked up and slapped them in the face. I would hope he gets taught to some degree at the local college.
In my early years here I was excited when the town refurbished his house, but at the dedication ceremony, the only person I remember actually talking about Ives the composer was the mayor, and when a string quartet sat down to play, it was traditional classical fare. Oy! Worse, though, I’m not even sure that the house has been well cared for in the intervening years.
So my own appreciation of his music is sketchy, and there are certain pieces I can’t deal with at all. It’s not easy stuff. But I’m glad it exists, and I personally love thinking of him and the local influences on his music. I, too, love the history of the man himself, even if it’s more than I love much of his output.
