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Variations on "America"

Charles Ives

Variations on "America" was originally written for organ by Charles Ives at the age of 17. The piece includes the original theme, five variations, two interludes, and a coda. This is one of Ives’ earliest works, and it already contains what would later become his trademark style - bitonality, chromaticism, and satire. The piece was transcribed for orchestra by William Schuman in 1964, and then for concert band by William E. Rhoads in 1968.