aworks :: "new" american classical music

Yankee Doodle Fantasy (1944). Harry Partch

I've not heard much of Harry Partch's music, but for the last two months, I've been downloading Innova tracks from eMusic. I don't have any particular intellectual interest in tuning, instrument building, or even mixed media. And yet to my surprise, I am enchanted and in some weird kind of way, I also think Partch's music can sound beautiful.

Dr. Dick has a post from last month, The Beautiful Is Difficult. It's more from the point of view of the composer. But as a listener, unlike with say the string quartets of Carter, I have just "clicked" with Partch's music i.e. no effort required. I retain the right to change my mind...

robert gable: aworks partch great depression/ww ii era. partch: del.icio.us wikipedia google news yahoo music singingfish alex ross. yankee doodle fantasy: allmusic. innova recordings. 1944

Eleven Intrusions (1949-50). Harry Partch

Rafael Behr describes Harry Partch in  a review of the re-release on New World Records of his Collection:

Like most innovators, he becomes gravel on the road that most people drive on. So he was the first one through the door and the crowd tramples him. But nobody has done anything like that since.

I'm not sure who really followed this maverick; it is clear what he did was unique.

The Letter (1943). Harry Partch

After listening to "American Mavericks" like  Charles Ives and Henry Cowell, Harry Partch comes across as the maverick's maverick.  His use of odd-ball themes is combined with his invention of odd-ball instruments.

The Letter is a short song based on a letter Partch received from a hobo friend.  While humorous on the surface, it also alludes to the difficulties of being poor.  Instrumentation is intoning voice, kithara, harmonic canon, surrogate kithara,  diamond  marimba, and bass marimba. This was on a CRI CD "CRI 40th Anniversary - The Composer-Performer." Also available at Berkshire Record Outlet for $3.99.

Enchanting if a bit odd.