Cowen Symphony No.5

[eschiss1]

which dates from 1916. I took you to be interested in recordings in more modern sound... there's also a symphony recorded on Marco Polo (perhaps reissued on Naxos), and other works, but a full discography might be a lengthier affair (even if it were mostly briefer works e.g. songs.) (Apparently only about 20 CDs at most, though, according to Worldcat anyway, that contain his music, and a lot of them are remasterings of older recordings I think.)

[eschiss1]

Ah. Actually, the -most- recent disc before this with any of Cowen's orchestral music might be a Chandos disc with one of Cowen's overtures among some other British ones (2014).

[sdtom]

Just ordered the Marco Polo release (2008) from Amazon for 8.99. Will let all know about it.

[eschiss1]

Turns out I have Naxos streaming access to several of them myself. Will give a listen.

[Alan Howe]

Let's try and focus here on the 5th Symphony which Mark has so kindly uploaded for us...

[sdtom]

okay, is there a modern recording of the 5th? Maybe I should start a new thread on him?

[eschiss1]

This -is- the new thread ("Cowen Symphony No.5"), and if and when released, would be the world premiere commercial recording.

[Alan Howe]

okay, is there a modern recording of the 5th?

A radio broadcast has been uploaded to UC, Tom - hence this thread. Here's the download:
http://www.unsungcomposers.com/forum/index.php/topic,6759.msg71403.html#new

[sdtom]

I've listened Alan and want a higher quality recording (CD).

[Mark Thomas]

Then you''ll have to wait until the CD is released, Tom. That has been promised for a long time and in its continued absence my attitude is to be grateful for the BBC broadcast. Sorry that it doesn't meet your standards, but I can only record at the broadcast quality.

[Alan Howe]

Exactly, Tom. And you have a perfectly good opportunity to assess the piece in the meantime.

[sdtom]

yup I sure do and like what I hear. 

[Alan Howe]

I find it a frustrating listen - doesn't really follow through on its promise. I'll take Sherwood over Cowen any day. His music has guts.

[sdtom]

I'll revisit this one again.

[semloh]

The second movement belongs in a separate orchestral piece, certainly not in this Symphony.

Could it originally have been a separate piece and was 'drafted in' to serve as the second movement of the symphony?  Do we know anything about the compositional history of the symphony?