Central Park in The Dark - Characteristics

Characteristics

Central Park in the Dark displays several characteristics that are typical of Ives’s work. Ives layers of orchestral textures on top of each other to create a polytonal atmosphere. Within this polytonal atmosphere, Ives juxtaposes the different sections of the orchestras in contrasting and clashing pairings (i.e. the ambient, static strings against the syncopated ragtime pianos against a brass street band). These juxtapositions are a prevalent theme in the works of Ives, and can be seen most notably in The Unanswered Question, Three Places in New England, and the Symphony No. 4.

Ives uses quotation in Central Park in the Dark, using common themes from popular tunes of the day in his piece. He quotes the popular tune Hello! Ma Baby within the ragtime pianos and the Washington Post March within the street band.

Central Park in the Dark is clearly a programmatic work, as can be derived from Ives’s own detailed narrative describing the piece. Ives’s work often relies on programmatic/narrative themes, allowing him to provide guidance through his dense scores.