Cohn celebrated his 80th birthday this year. He graduated from Juilliard in 1950, having studied with Roy Harris, Wayne Barlow and Bernard Wagenaar. Most of his works are for symphony orchestra, although he has written three string quartets, five piano sonatas and much choral music. His music is usually tonal and often highly lyrical, with jazz elements occasionally heard in it.
The composer was still a student when he wrote his Second Symphony, studying with Dutch composer Wagenaar. It’s third movement is based on a serial tone row, but used in a highly emotional fashion, similar to Berg. The Seventh is a longer work – nearly a half hour – and full of great contrasts in its themes: between thoughtful and explosive and between formal and nearly hysterical. Cohn’s Variations uses the Southern folksong popularized by Burl Ives for a series of 12 variations. The short and tuneful Waltz was created for a brass octet and then later orchestrated by Cohn.
The Slovak Radio Symphony, founded in 1929, has become an internationally known concert ensemble and tours frequently. The sonics are high quality and communicate well the very worthwhile works of this American composer who has Naxos to thank for the exposure the major labels have failed to give him.
– John Sunier
