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