Charles Ives Symphony No. 4, NNO/Antony Hermus, cond./Ralph van Raat, piano

Broadcast of a performance on March 15, 2024.
North Netherlands Symphony Orchestra (NNO)
Other conductors: Henri Christofer Aafik and Benjamin Perry Wenzelberg
Choir: Noord Nederlands Concert Koor/Projectkoor
Broadcasted by Omrop Fryslân, RTV Drenthe and RTV Noord; audio recording by NTR

[@dondrewecki1909]

WOW!!!!! Amazin , just as good as anything we could do here in the US. Thanks!!!!!!!😊

[@bryangl1]

It's many years since I've heard this amazing and brilliant work - easier to follow having prior familiarity, and, of course, now being able to see the separate groups of musicians/singers. Throughout we hear Ives' trademarks - different layers playing seemingly different material, with clashing tempi, keys etc. I reveal my age when I seem to recall having, probably an LP, of the first ever performance of this, with Stokoski at the helm of several conductors. [Yes, I've made one or two edits.] All of which we see here, with the different threads being performed by easily seen "groups". The Prelude is disarming with only mild hints of what is to come. Ives' sense of humor becomes clear in the tumult of the 2nd movement, with performance groups seeming to try and put others "off their game", although they almost come together in places, particularly with brief quotations of a tune that appears in more than one of the composers works, "Columbia, Gem of the Ocean' (if I have the name correct). The 3rd movement seems to bring a breath of cleansing air, with that beautiful (and very familiar, but here the name escapes me totally) melody introduced by the strings. But it hints at not becoming too complacent, coming to a peak with the (tracker, I think) pipe organ riding over all. However, it doesn't get too challenging, as our reserves are needed for the multi-layered finale. All gradually fades into the distance, but not before Ives' musical threads in competition, again display the need for multiple conductor's. Novel touches include weird tones from one of the earliest electronic instruments, the Ondes Martenot emerging from within the mix (there are few of the original instruments still existing, but a slightly modernized, and more capable, version is used - still difficult to play. Sorry, I had to add this as it's a fascinating instrument, worth looking up, and it's used in a number of film scores). In all, an extremely welcome performance of this little heard milestone in 20th century music. And I can't imagine a better performance than this which, in addition, is imaginatively staged. (Ives' use of apparent chaos was well ahead of his time, with the US sadly in an even more chaotic state!) My grateful thanks to all who joined together (together?) to share this special event with the world. I have now found several performances on TH-cam, but in my humble(?) opinion, this really stands out.
NB. THERE WAS ANOTHER CONCERT FOLLOWING THIS, TITLE "IVES' 'UNANSWERED QUESTION'" IT WAS SPECTACULAR AND FUN - BUT IT'S GONE - WHY?

[@gabrieru1983]

What a masterpiece! Great interpretation!

[@tarare_n]

I love this symphony and have listened to it many times. Your previous performance was great and this version is also super cool. thank you!

[@Blauwhoed]

Antony Hermus and the NNO superb in Ives. A really great and unforgetable performance!!!

[@s113921]

Amazing performance of this incredible symphony!!!