Description
Charles Ives: Universe, Incomplete (2 DVDs)
UPC: 4260234831924
Product Features
- Director: Christoph Marthaler, Michael Beyer
- Composer: Charles Ives
- Conductor: Titus Engel
- Stage Designer: Anna Viebrock
- Documentary Director: Anne-Kathrin Peitz
- Region Code: 0 (Worldwide)
- Performance Duration: 129:55
- Documentary Duration: 53:10
- Subtitles (Documentary): German, English, French, Japanese, Korean
- Audio Formats: PCM Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS-HD 5.1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 NTSC
- Released By: Accentus Music (2019)
- Event: World Premiere at Jahrhunderthalle Bochum, Ruhrtriennale 2018
Overview
Charles Ives: Universe, Incomplete is a groundbreaking stage production developed by Christoph Marthaler, inspired by Charles Ives' unfinished Universe Symphony, a massive and visionary work that aimed to employ 4,250 musicians. This avant-garde production, performed at the Ruhrtriennale 2018, merges elements from Ives' entire oeuvre to create a deeply innovative tribute to one of America’s most radical composers.
The DVD set also includes The Unanswered Ives, a documentary directed by Anne-Kathrin Peitz, retracing Ives’ heritage in Danbury, Connecticut, and exploring his profound influence on 20th-century music. Presented in a collage style, the film offers an intimate glimpse into Ives' life, revealing his pioneering use of polytonal harmony and complex rhythms.
Interesting Facts
- Charles Ives is renowned for being one of the first composers to experiment with polytonality and polyrhythms, well ahead of his time.
- The Universe Symphony was intended as a cosmic portrayal of nature's eternal rhythms and movements, but Ives left the work unfinished, with only sketches and notes completed.
- Christoph Marthaler’s production received critical acclaim for its boldness in blending stage design and orchestral interpretation.
- The documentary explores Ives’ New England roots, showing how his environment influenced his compositional style.
- The Ruhrtriennale is one of Europe’s most prestigious cultural festivals, and this production marked a significant moment in interpreting Ives' legacy.
Track Listing
Disc 1: Universe, Incomplete (Performance)
- Running Time: 129:55
Disc 2: The Unanswered Ives (Documentary)
- Running Time: 53:10
Publishers
- Accentus Music
- WDR Arte
Hashtags
#CharlesIves #UniverseIncomplete #Ruhrtriennale #AvantGardeMusic #Documentary #Polytonality #ModernClassical #WorldPremiere #TitusEngel #AnnaViebrock #ContemporaryOpera #AccentusMusic