The Children’s Hour was composed in 1901 to words by Longfellow (from a much longer poem). This is an example of the exquisite lyrical simplicity of which Ives was capable; the flowing outer sections (with delicate high chiming tones from the left hand crossing the right) frame a recitative-like centre. Note the children’s names: fifteen years later Ives and Harmony would adopt an Edith as their daughter.
from notes by Calum MacDonald © 2008
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