Bryant Lake Bowl
Monday, September 23, 7:30pm

Curated and presented by Philip Blackburn
Harry Partch (1901-1974) — composer, microtonal theorist, instrument builder, critic, visual artist, hobo, record producer, musical visionary — has been called the most important American artist of the Twentieth Century. Best known for his orchestra of hand-built instrumental sound-sculptures, Partch did his own thing, far from the musical establishment and became a seminal figure in many areas: radical primitivism, world music, ritual theater, Just Intonation…

See rare footage from the Partch archive of him demonstrating his instruments (Music Studio: Harry Partch), a documentary made at the end of his life (The Dreamer That Remains), and stage works such as U.S. Highball (recounting a hobo rail trip) and a Japanese Noh tale from Delusion of the Fury, his masterwork. See what inspired Anais Nin, Martha Graham, Kenneth Anger, Tom Waits, The Residents, Lou Harrison, and just about everyone else..

Philip Blackburn, a native of Cambridge, UK, received a doctorate from the University of Iowa, and has been Senior Program Director at the American Composers Forum since 1991 where he runs the innova Recordings label and the Sonic Circuits Electronic Music Festival. Blackburn is one of a handful of Harry Partch scholars: his 15-year project to publish Partch’s works, in a 6-part series of videos, CDs and a book—Enclosures—was given an ASCAP Deems Taylor Award. He can also be seen on the BBC’s new documentary: The Outsider: Harry Partch.