Henry Cowell: Tales of Our Countryside (All-American Orchestra, Leopold Stokowski conducting, with Composer Cowell at the piano; Columbia; 4 sides). Henry ("Tone Clusters") Cowell has been noted chiefly as a composer-pianist who plays his ear-wrenching works partly with his fists and elbows. This composition is in a surprising, melodious vein that sounds somewhat like Sibelius.
Wagner: Bridal Chamber Scene from Lohengrin (Victor Symphony, Edwin McArthur conducting, with Kirsten Flagstad, soprano, and Lauritz Melchior, tenor; Victor; 4 sides). Grade A performance and recording; Flagstad at her finest.
Schumann: Frauenliebe und Leben (Lotte Lehmann,...