Henry Cowell
American composer, music theorist, pianist, teacher, publisher, and impresario (1897-1965) · United States · On the map · Musicians · Died at 68
Henry Dixon Cowell was an American composer, writer, pianist, publisher, and music teacher. Earning a reputation as an extremely controversial performer and eccentric composer, Cowell became a leading figure of American avant-garde music for the first half of the 20th century.
Henry Cowell is read about 114 times a day, in 27 languages.
A typical day, 30 days to 13 November 2026
The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 115 days, one point a day.
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Correct this familyMedia & music
Photos 11
Henry playing the violin - aged 5 (c. 1902)
The original manuscript to Dynamic Motion (1916), showing the young Cowell's early methods for notating large piano clusters
Cowell playing the piano, demonstrating his "forearm" technique by slamming down with his right arm on the middle register, c. 1920s
The finale of the movement Antinomy from Five Encores to Dynamic Motion (1917), showing five-and-a-half octave chromatic clusters to be played with both forearms![Promotional flier for Cowell's 1924 Carnegie Hall debut[n 3]](https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4d/Promotional_flier_for_Henry_Cowell%27s_1924_Carnegie_Hall_debut_NYPL_4002097.jpg/1280px-Promotional_flier_for_Henry_Cowell%27s_1924_Carnegie_Hall_debut_NYPL_4002097.jpg?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=parser&utm_content=thumbnail)
Promotional flier for Cowell's 1924 Carnegie Hall debut[n 3]
Satirical caricature of Cowell at the piano by Harry Haenigsen, c. mid-1920s
Cowell was dedicated to publishing and popularizing the music of Charles Ives (pictured) via New Music QuarterlyAwards
About this person
His writings and music served as a great influence on composers such as Lou Harrison, George Antheil, and John Cage. He is considered one of the most important and influential composers from the United States.
