Synopsis
In all, American composer Henry Cowell composed 20 symphonies, and left sketches for a 21st. On today’s date in 1954, the Louisville Orchestra gave the premiere of Cowell’s Symphony No. 11 (The Seven Rituals of Music).
“There are seven rituals of music in the life of man from birth to death,” so Cowell explained in program notes. He said that these musical rituals included work, play, dance, love, and war, bracketed by the mysteries of birth and death.
Although interest in Cowell’s music has risen steadily since his death in 1965, performances of his symphonies are still rare events. Part of the problem lies in the eclectic range of styles to be found in his music. There is, for example, a Cowell Gaelic Symphony, another Icelandic Symphony, and yet another, influenced by Indian ragas and talas, the Madras Symphony.
This didn’t bother Cowell at all. As he once explained, “I have never deliberately concerned myself with developing a distinctive personal style, but only with the excitement and pleasure of writing music as beautifully, as warmly, and as interestingly as I can.”
Music Played in Today's Program
Henry Cowell (1897-1965): Symphony No. 11 (Seven Rituals of Music); The Louisville Orchestra; Robert S. Whitney, conductor; First Editions 0003
On This Day
Births
1860 - Spanish composer Isaac Albéniz, in Camprodón
1873 - Estonian composer Rudolf Tobias, in Kaina on Haiiumaa Island
1897 - Austrian composer Eric Wolfgang Korngold, in Brno
1922 - Greek composer Iannis Xenakis, in Braila, Roumania
1948 - English composer Michael Berkley, in London. He is the son of English composer Lennox Berkeley (1903-89).
Deaths
1910 - Russian composer Mily Balakirev, 73, in St. Petersburg (Julian date: May 16)
1911 - British lyricist Sir William S. Gilbert (of Gilbert & Sullivan fame), 74, from a heart attack after rescuing a drowning woman, at Harrow Weald, England
1935 - Czech composer Josef Suk, 61, in Benesov
1951 - Czech composer Josef Bohuslav Foerster, 91, in Vestec, near Stará Boleslav
Premieres
1901 - Paderewski: Manru, in Dresden; Also staged at the Metropolitan Opera in 1902
1905 - Scriabin: Symphony No. 3 (Divine Poem), in Paris, Arthur Nikisch conducting
1913 - Stravinsky: Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring), in Paris, by Diaghilev’s Ballet Russe, Pierre Monteux conducting
1954 - Cowell: Symphony No. 11 (Seven Rituals), by the Louisville Orchestra, Robert S. Whitney conducting
1970 - Rautavaara: Piano Concerto, in Helsinki, with composer as soloist, and the Finnish Radio Symphony, Paavo Berglund conducting
Others
1873 - American premiere of Brahms's Serenade No. 1, at Steinway Hall, by the New York Symphony, Theodore Thomas conducting
1963 - The New York Philharmonic Promenade concert series is inaugurated
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About Composers Datebook®
Host John Birge presents a daily snapshot of composers past and present, with timely information, intriguing musical events and appropriate, accessible music related to each.
He has been hosting, producing and performing classical music for more than 25 years. Since 1997, he has been hosting on Minnesota Public Radio's Classical Music Service. He played French horn for the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestra and performed with them on their centennial tour of Europe in 1995. He was trained at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Eastman School of Music and Interlochen Arts Academy.
