CHARLES IVES (1874-1954): Orchestral Sets No. 1: Three Places in New England (version 1 - World Premiere Recording ed. Sinclair), No. 2 and No. 3 (World Premiere Recording ed. David Gray Porter and realized Nors Josephson).

Description: The first version of Three Places dates from 1913-14 and is less complex than its better-known version especially in the difficult rhythms creating the misty texture of The Housatonic at Stockbridge. Set No. 3 was conceived in 1919 and was one of the pieces he was working on in 1927 when he quit due to the difficulty he had in concentrating because of his diabetes and heart attack. However, as late as 1951, he was still adding notes to it. The first (untitled) movement is the most complete in draft, the second (another "let's play a big handful of band and hymn tunes at the same time and different rhythms" piece) and third sketchier. However, the solutions found by the two musicologists (about whom we are told nothing in the short notes) produce a compelling 29-minute work (almost as long as the other two together) which immediately and throughout sounds exactly like Ives. Malmö Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Chorus; James Sinclair.