Essays Before a Sonata

Essays Before A Sonata is a collection of essays written by the American composer Charles Ives. The book was first published in 1920 and serves as a preface to his second piano sonata. The essays are a reflection of Ives' musical philosophy and his approach to composition. In the essays, Ives discusses his belief that music is not just a form of entertainment but a means of expressing the deepest emotions and thoughts of the composer. He also writes about the importance of individuality in music and how it is necessary for composers to be true to their own creative impulses. Ives also touches on the role of tradition in music and how composers should not be bound by it but rather use it as a starting point for their own creative endeavors. He discusses the influence of American culture and landscape on his music and how it is reflected in his compositions. Overall, Essays Before A Sonata provides a unique insight into the mind of one of America's most innovative and influential composers. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the history and philosophy of music.The substance of Hawthorne is so dripping wet with the supernatural, the phantasmal, the mystical--so surcharged with adventures, from the deeper picturesque to the illusive fantastic, one unconsciously finds oneself thinking of him as a poet of greater imaginative impulse than Emerson or Thoreau. He was not a greater poet possibly than they--but a greater artist.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.