Henry Cowell’s symphonic series, episode 8: American iconoclast Cowell composed an astonishing variety of symphonic works – large and small, intimate and bombastic, funny and poignant.

In this episode of American Highways, pianist Guy Livingston brings us orchestral music by this little-known american master: Ostinato Pianissimo for percussion ensemble, one of the classics of the genre; the Ballad, the entertainingly naïve Fanfare for the Latin American Allies; the complex Polyphonica; and the substantial Icelandic Symphony.

AMERICAN HIGHWAYS #70: Henry Cowell – The Icelandic Symphony

Theme Music :

Henry Cowell

Symphony #11 “Seven Rituals of Music”

VI. Vivace

Robert Whitney: Louisville Orchestra

First Edition FECD-0003

Henry Cowell

Ostinato Pianissimo (1934)

The New Jersey Percussion Ensemble

Elektra Nonesuch ‎– 9 79150-2

Henry Cowell

Hymn and Fuguing Tune No. 10 (1955) For Oboe & Strings

Academy of St. Martin in the Fields & Sir Neville Marriner

Argo (2) ‎– 417 818-2

Henry Cowell

Fanfare for the Latin American Allies

London Symphony Brass & Eric Crees

Alto 2013

Henry Cowell

Ballad

The Louisville Orchestra & Jorge Mester

Soundmark Records 48126

Henry Cowell

Polyphonica

Continuum Ensemble

Naxos Am Classics 8.559192

Henry Cowell

Symphony 16: Icelandic

I-Moderato con moto

II-Allegro

III-Adagio Cantabile

IV-Vivace

V-Maestoso

Icelandic Symphony, Polish Orchestra, William Strickland Conductor

Composers Recordings Inc. (CRI) ‎– CD 740

Henry Cowell

4 Irish Tales “Tales of Our Countryside“:

No. 3, The Harp of Life

Henry Cowell, piano; All-American Youth Orchestra cond by Leopold Stokowski

Music and Arts 1287