The New Criterion

In 1913, Vachel Lindsay wrote “General William Booth Enters into Heaven.” It speaks of the founder of the Salvation Army. Peggy Noonan cited this poem in a recent column. In 1914, Charles Ives set the poem to music. You will hear it in this episode. Also a Beatles concerto (yes), a rag by an early Metropolitan Opera soprano (yes), some American standards, and, at the end, transcendent Mahler. Jay plays off a good amount of reader mail. An amazingly eclectic, interesting episode. Shchedrin, Piano Concerto No. 1 Robison, “Think Well of Me” Rutter, “Beatles Concerto,” first movement Pinkard-Alexander-Mitchell, “Sugar” Ives, “General William Booth Enters into Heaven” Pinkard-Bernie-Casey, “Sweet Georgia Brown” Case, “Metropolitan Rag” Handel, “Rejoice greatly,” from “Messiah” Mahler, Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection”