Charles Ives: The Making of the Composer

Trying to make sense of the music of Charles Ives without a substantial degree of preparation is more likely than not to end with the listener's rejection. Ives was, of course, used to such reactions, but that was over a hundred years ago. Regardless, his music still is likely to confound, although it is less likely to create outrage. Times have changed, but Ives's music sounds as current as ever. How did the phenomenon of an American composer emerging from what might seem to be less than ideal musical circumstances actually happen? Precisely, how, and when, as well as who and what, influences contributed to Ives's musical choices, his unusual originality, methodology, and musical personality? Up until this time, insufficient comparative analysis has been undertaken to determine, as closely as possible, In the process, in recent scholarship, the substantial musical exposure Ives received throughout his upbringing in Danbury often has been underestimated, and his formal studies at Yale over-credited--without the proper balance being understood or fully considered. Charles Ives: The Making of the Composer sets out on the ambitious trail of uncovering what really happened in the evolution of America's first great composer, during the years just before and after the turn of the twentieth century.
About the Author: Born in Australia, American cellist and scholar Antony Cooke, formerly associate professor of cello at Northwestern University, and 30-year veteran of the Hollywood film music industry (performing in approximately 1500 soundtracks-see under Papers), author of numerous books, including the massive resource volume, Charles Ives's Musical Universe [2015], as well as Charles Ives and his Road to the Stars [2016]), has had a multi-faceted career--also as solo performer and classical recording artist, composer, and author of books about astronomy.

Cooke received his major training in London, establishing an early career as a solo cellist. Primarily the protégé of the legendary pedagogue Helen Just (the legendary disciple of Diran Alexanian); Cooke received artist diplomas from both the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music in London. Cooke was a gold medalist at the London Music Competition in 1966, also receiving the prestigious 'Young Musicians '73 Award (London), and appearing as a concerto soloist and recitalist on the BBC. Cooke has concertized extensively throughout Europe and USA, recorded many solo and cello/piano CD's and LP's under the Centaur, PROdigital, Resort Classic, and Golden Crest labels.

Cooke studied theory and historical musicology under John Wilkinson, composition under Nadia Boulanger protégé John Lambert, and conducting under Sir Colin Davis. In 1971 he would become England's youngest principal cellist (the London Mozart Players under Harry Blech), then England's premier chamber orchestra, performing regularly with the ensemble as concerto soloist; during this time he also toured Israel with The London Symphony Orchestra.

At the age of twenty-six Cooke was appointed as Assistant Professor of cello at the University of South Florida, where he also worked as conductor of one of the wind ensembles. Subsequently, he was appointed to his teaching position in the School of Music at Northwestern University in Chicago, and was a founder member of the Regenstein Trio.

In 1984, having relocated to Southern California, in Los Angeles he established himself as one of the luminaries in the Hollywood recording industry, participating in movie soundtracks, countless television and record productions, as well as composing music for prime time television. His compositions have been published by Kendor, Studio PR, Kjos Music, and CPP Bellwin, Inc.

His books on astronomy include the acclaimed Astronomy and the Climate Crisis, Cooke's astronomical titles are published by the second largest science publisher in the world, Springer.

As a founding member of the Charles Ives/Concord Trio, Cooke also is dedicated to the advancement of music related to Ives's time and place in history, as well as continued work toward revealing greater truths and understandings about Ives's life and work.