Second Piano Sonata

work by Ives

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June 17, 2026

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The Second Piano Sonata, subtitled Concord, Mass., 1840–60, is a monumental work by American composer Charles Ives. Composed between 1909 and 1915, it reflects the spirit of the New England Transcendentalists.

The sonata is structured in four sections, each named after a prominent figure: "Emerson," "Hawthorne," "The Alcotts," and "Thoreau." It is known for its experimental techniques, including tone clusters and quotations from other musical works, such as Beethoven. The mood of the piece varies widely, from dissonant and intense to serene and mystical, evoking the philosophical and naturalistic themes associated with its New England inspirations. The work was published in 1920 and first performed in its entirety in 1938.1

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Charles Ives
His monumental Second Piano Sonata (subtitled Concord, Mass., 1840–60), which was written from 1909 to 1915 and first performed in 1938, echoes the spirit of the New England Transcendentalists in its four sections, “Emerson,” “Hawthorne,” “The Alcotts,” and “Thoreau.” It contains tone clusters, quotes Beethoven, and includes…
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His monumental Second Piano Sonata (subtitled Concord, Mass., 1840–60), which was written from 1909 to 1915 and first performed in 1938, echoes the spirit of the New England Transcendentalists in its four sections, “Emerson,” “Hawthorne,” “The Alcotts,” and “Thoreau.” It contains tone clusters, quotes Beethoven, and includes…
Read More