Ives, or, a reason to be proud to come from America

I adore the 3rd movement ("The Alcotts") to Charles Ives' "Concord" Sonata (aka Piano Sonata no. 2). It's remarkably sentimental. I mean, honestly, it's just gorgeous.

Here's the recording I was responding to:


Now, for an interesting twist, here's a recording of IVES HIMSELF playing the same movement:


Some things I definitely like more about Ives' interpretation (hell, he wrote it), but in a way I feel like the other recording is much less academic, and...well, more in tune with what Ives wanted. But I'm not an Ives scholar, so let's not try to discuss.

Instead, it's time for some good high school age high school wind ensembles to play some Ives! (And a German one at that!)