Michael Tilson Thomas explores the riddle of American composer Charles Ives, the musical maverick who made listeners confront their understanding of what music could be.

American composer Charles Ives created his Holidays Symphony as a haunting sonic portrait of New England at the turn of the 20th century, at turns sentimental and chaotic. Michael Tilson Thomas explores the riddle of Ives the loyal son and businessman versus Ives the musical maverick who made listeners confront their understanding of what music could be. The program is filmed in New England and New York City.