Henry Cowell’s symphonic series, episode 9: As we continue with our ongoing survey of one of the great American composers, this is an evening to discover a forgotten and comfortingly American sympony, his fifth. Less predictable and more intriguing is Ongaku, inspired by his visit to Japan and his studies of the Japanese traditional flute.
In this episode of American Highways, pianist Guy Livingston brings us orchestral music from the 1950’s by this little-known american master: Cowell composed an astonishing variety of symphonic works – large and small, intimate and bombastic, funny and poignant. Tonight we focus on the calmer, more reflective side of his art.
AMERICAN HIGHWAYS #71: Henry Cowell, symphonist
Theme Music :
Henry Cowell
Symphony #11 “Seven Rituals of Music”
VI. Vivace
Robert Whitney: Louisville Orchestra
First Edition FECD-0003
Henry Cowell
Adagio from Ensemble for String Orchestra (1924)
Manhattan Chamber Orchestra
Koch 3-7220-2 HI
Henry Cowell
Music 1957
Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Akeo Watanabe
CRI LP
Henry Cowell
Ongaku (1957)
I. Gagaku
II. Sankyoku
Robert Whitney: Louisville Orchestra
First Edition FECD-0003
Henry Cowell
5th Symphony (1948)
I. Con moto
II. Andante
III. Presto
IV. Largo sostenuto, quasi andante
Dean Dixon, conductor.
American Recording Society (CRI) LP #112
