
Joel Sachs offers the first complete biography of one of the most influential figures in twentieth-century American music. Henry Cowell, a major musical innovator of the first half of the century, left a rich body of compositions spanning a wide range of styles. But as Sachs shows, Cowell's legacy extends far beyond his music. He worked tirelessly to create organizations such as the highly influential New Music Quarterly, New Music Recordings, and the Pan-American Association of Composers, through which great talents like Ruth Crawford Seeger and Charles Ives first became known in the US and abroad. As one of the first Western advocates for World Music, he used lectures, articles, and recordings to bring other musical cultures to myriad listeners and students including John Cage and Lou Harrison, who attributed their life work to Cowell's influence. Finally, Sachs describes the tragedy of Cowell's life, being sentenced to fifteen years in San Quentin -- of which he served four -- after pleading guilty to a morals charge that even the prosecutor felt was trivial. Providing a wealth of insight into Cowell's ideas and philosophy, Joel Sachs lays out a much-needed perspective on one of the giants of twentieth-century American music.
This biography investigates the life and professional contributions of Henry Cowell to determine his role in shaping twentieth-century American musical innovation. Joel Sachs, a musicologist and conductor, utilizes extensive archival research and primary source documentation to construct a comprehensive portrait of Cowell. The text argues that Cowell’s significance lies not only in his experimental compositions but also in his foundational work as an institutional builder and advocate for global musical traditions.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
Experts recognize this work as the definitive biography of Henry Cowell, praising the author for his meticulous research and balanced treatment of both the subject's musical achievements and his personal controversies. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which provides a thorough context for the development of the American avant-garde.
Page Count:
636
Publication Date:
2015-07-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0190227923
ISBN-13:
9780190227920
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