#9 Reading Charles Ives

I thought that Ives's background is a very interesting aspect, which helped him shape some of his compositions. Since Ives's background was from the financial field his literature of "Music and Its Future" contained a economic and business-like style. He believed in expanding and exploring possibilities; this is much like a businessman or salesman would do when trying to make a profit. On the other hand, his musical thoughts were scientifically interesting. I liked his experiment between the two pianos and the door. The other demonstration that he used was with the sound of the brass band playing pianissimo across a street is a different-sound than the same playing forte a block away. I thought that his idea about the presentation of the music was very innovative. He mentions how he would place a player off stage to create a different effect on the audience.