Born in Danbury, Connecticut on October 20, 1874, Charles Ives pursued what is perhaps one of the most extraordinary and paradoxical careers in American music history. Businessman by day and composer by night, Ives's vast output has gradually brought him recognition as the most original and significant American composer of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Inspired by transcendentalist philosophy, Ives sought a highly personalized musical expression through the most innovative and radical technical means possible. …showed first 75 words of 624 total…

…showed last 75 words of 624 total…In 1947, Ives was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his Symphony No. 3, according him a much deserved international renown. Soon after, his works were taken up and championed by such leading conductors as Leonard Bernstein. At his death in 1954, he had witnessed a rise from obscurity to a position of unsurpassed eminence among the world's leading performers and musical institutions. Bibliography Swaffork, Jan. The Vintage Guide to Classical Music. "Charles Ives" New York: Random House Inc. 1992.