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