Henry Cowell: Symphony No.5 (1948)

Henry Cowell (1897-1965): Sinfonia n.5 (1948) -- American Recording Symphony Orchestra (secondo altra fonte: Vienna Symphony Orchestra) diretta da Dean Dixon --
I. Con moto
II. Andante
III. Presto
IV. Largo sostenuto, quasi andante
-- cover image by Robert Remsen Vickrey ---
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[@transitny]

Well, that made me happy. I've always been impressed by composers who can make a profound statement in a fraction of the time that others do. Not that long means bad (Shostakovich and Mahler are two brilliant names with extensive forms), but Cowell seems to make his symphonic points in 20-30 minutes while others can take over an hour. Stravinsky is another composer with this kind of concision.

[@joshuasussman4020]

I love how different each of Cowell's symphonies is from the next. What a great percussion writer. His formal layout marks the difference between inevitable and predictable.

[@ronaldbwoodall2628]

There is a wonderful dramatic flow to this symphony, with its' impressive climaxes and thematic integration, not to mention a delightful scherzo. I'm glad to have heard this recording again after many years. Dean Dixon also conducted my favorite versions of Liszt's "Les Preludes" and three other of his symphonic poems on a Westminster LP.

[@271250cl]

Cowell is the only composer I know who can combine Modernist style with great tunes!

[@glenrichardson6396]

Samuel Barber’s Piano Concerto does what you’re describing. It’s a great piece, if you don’t know it.

[@jksteven1]

Thank you for posting this long out-of-print symphony. This one has always been my favorite followed by No. 7, 4, and 10. There are airchecks of Nos. 9 and 14. No. 13 (Madras) has been posted on KZbin and some of the later ones, 11, 15, and 16.

[@TheWelleszTheatre]

it would be a great enterprise. Some of the symphonies are lost, instead some of the last ones are incomplete or still today unperformed. Cowell wrote over eight hundred musical pieces, its catalog reserves as surprises and would be now that some label begins to occupy him of it!

[@andrewpetersen5272]

IF ONLY!

[@hectorbarrionuevo6034]

The Presto movement is vibrant, moto-perpetuo-like, and features nice orchestral colors !

[@faville]

The sound quality is charming and reminds me of film scores from the 40s and 50s.

[@andrul]

Wonderful

[@charlottewhyte9804]

underated composer, never even make concert programme ,let alone town Hall concerts.

[@jksteven1]

A composer friend of mine, Dave Canfield (a friend of Cowell at one time), told me that Nos. 1, 2, and 3 seem to have been lost. But lost symphonies do have a way of re-emerging. Wouldn't it be great if a record company like CPO would issue the complete symphonies of Henry Cowell?

[@rbbonotto]

Naxos should do it. Most of his symphonies seem to be 15 to 20 minutes in length. Ergo, you could get four of them on one CD.

[@glenrichardson6396]

Here here!

[@bgccallahan4116]

I am sad that the comments here are so long ago... This music needs to be herd now and here.

[@271250cl]

Hi - Happily, I think that symphonies 1 - 3 are in still in existence. You can now download #2 "Anthropos" from iTunes (wonderful last movement!) and Lichtenwanger's catalogue of Cowell's music describes each of the works I think.

[@erlandschneck-holze4476]

..lovely symphony - listen to more famous Dean-Dixon-Recordings of American Composers ...

[@kuang-licheng402]

rare piece

[@handsomechuck1]

I have to turn to youtube for interesting music because classical stations are so conservative, boring and repetitive. It's not really their fault since they are just reflecting the taste of the fans but it gets annoying regardless.

[@patriciagullickson9591]

handsomechuck1 I agree 100%...this stuff is incredible

[@kaybeenullenvoyde9196]

Agreed! Never have heard a whiff of him in Southern Calif. Astute wide ranging themes. Experimental. Why is it so fabulous when Picasso does that (as a painter) but not Cowell? I think I found a CD of his Icelandic Symphony in the local record shop once, decided I could afford to sample his work. (Heard of him, as he's a Californian and there is a state park in the bay area named for him!) I. WAS. SOLD.

[@weechid9784]

I present a programme called Smooth Classics on Alive 107.3 and I often trawl through KZbin to find something different and interesting formy listeners. Hav just discovered Cowell and will be exploring his music for suitable works.

[@chuckallen6487]

Sorry this symphony is mono

[@andrewpetersen5272]

You are forgiven