When The Moon (Songs - Sets For Orchestra)

Released by Decca in 2000 as part of their influential 'Headlines' series, this collection features a selection of songs by the American modernist composer Charles Ives. The project brought together soprano Susan Narucki, baritone Sanford Sylvan, and pianist Alan Feinberg under the direction of Richard Bernas and Music Projects/London. The recording aimed to present Ives's experimental vocal compositions with the clarity and intellectual rigor that his complex, often collage-like scores demand, highlighting his unique approach to tonality and American vernacular themes.

The album serves as a significant contribution to the Ives discography by focusing on his 'Songs' and 'Sets for Orchestra' in a format that balances chamber intimacy with orchestral ambition. Ives, who spent much of his career working in relative obscurity while employed in the insurance industry, was known for layering disparate musical ideas to capture the spirit of New England life. This release was generally well-received by classical critics for its nuanced performances and its ability to convey the structural density of Ives's work while maintaining the emotional transparency of his song cycles.