Well known in his time as a conductor, pianist and composer, Frederic Cowen was once known as 'the English Schubert' for his contribution to English song. He regarded himself as a symphonist, with six symphonies to his credit, but excelled in lighter music, exemplified in the concert overture The Butterfly's Ball, inspired by a well known children's poem. More exotic is his Indian Rhapsody, first performed at the Hereford Festival in 1903.
