Charles Edward Ives was born in Danbury, Connecticut, on October 20, 1874. He is both the most outstanding composer in American history, as well as a winner of the 1947 Pulitzer Prize for his Third Symphony. This is the same symphony that Gustav Mahler reportedly brought to Europe but died before he could get a chance to perform it or return it to its home in America. Ives made his living selling insurance and composing on the weekends and nevertheless was still was able to compose many beautiful works which brought him into the eyes of the public, earning him both respect and celebrity status. …
