Charles Ives: Variations on "America"
for Orchestra

Charles Ives (1874-1954) composed his Variations on "America" in 1891 at the age of seventeen. It was originally an organ piece, designed for Ives to perform himself on the 4th July (Independence Day) at his church in Brewster, New York. The traditional tune "America" is sung to the words "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" in the USA, while in the UK it is the national anthem. It is both humorous and adventurous, using familiar dance styles such as the Polonaise, alongside bi-tonal interludes. The piece was arranged in 1962 by William Schuman for large orchestra. This new arrangement by Iain Farrington is for Classical-sized orchestra, similar in scale to Beethoven or Mozart symphonies, full of colour and wit. It was commissioned by the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields, who first performed it on their 2026 USA tour, led by Joshua Bell. 

Instrumentation: 2 flutes (2nd doubling piccolo), 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, percussion (timpani, tambourine, triangle), violin 1, violin 2, viola, cello, double bass. Strings can be around 6.5.4.3.2.

Available to purchase from Aria Editions here