Talk with Harry Partch

Harry Partch (1901–1974) was an innovative and influential American composer, music theorist, and creator of musical instruments. He is renowned for his unique explorations into microtonal tunings and scales, particularly his development of a 43-tone scale, which was a radical departure from the traditional Western music scale. Born in Oakland, California, Partch was not only a composer but also a theorist who was deeply involved in the study of intonation and tuning systems.

Disenchanted with the constraints of Western European classical music and its 12-tone equal temperament, Partch sought to create music that better reflected the nuances of natural speech and other sounds. His interest in integrating elements of speech into music led him to develop a theory of "Corporeal music," where he emphasized a combination of performance art, spoken word, and live music.

To perform his compositions, Partch invented and constructed over two dozen unique musical instruments, including the Chromelodeon, the Quadrangularis Reversum, and the Zymo-Xyl. These instruments were designed to play the complex microtonal scales he envisioned and are notable for their aesthetic and functional uniqueness.

Partch's most famous works include "Delusion of the Fury," "Plectra and Percussion Dances," and "Barstow." His compositions often featured theatrical elements, blurring the lines between music performance, drama, and ritual. Partch's legacy is preserved through recordings, his instruments, and his influence on later generations of composers and musicians who explore microtonality and the boundaries of musical expression.

Recordings of Harry Partch's works are moderately accessible. Several of his works have been published and are available through various music platforms, including streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, as well as through CDs and vinyl. Partch's unique musical style and use of custom-built instruments have garnered a dedicated niche audience, leading to multiple modern recordings and performances of his compositions. In addition, some educational and enthusiast websites about microtonal and experimental music often feature his work. Major music distributors and retailers carry recordings, but availability can vary, so it might require some searching to find specific pieces.

Harry Partch was known for his innovative approach to instrument creation, often using a variety of materials, both traditional and non-traditional. His instruments were crafted to play microtonal scales, specifically the 43-tone scale he developed, which necessitated custom-built instruments.

Partch used materials such as bamboo, wood, glass, and metal in constructing his instruments. For instance, the "Cloud-Chamber Bowls" were made from carboys used in cloud chamber experiments in physics, and the "Spoils of War" incorporated artillery shell casings. He also used materials like Pyrex bowls in the "Mazda Marimba" and adapted standard instruments like the viola and guitar, changing their construction and tuning to suit his musical needs.

Partch creatively repurposed everyday objects and industrial materials to create sounds that traditional instruments could not produce, driven by his unique vision for what music could become through the exploration of new tonal systems and sonic textures.

Harry Partch was a highly innovative composer and instrument builder, known for creating unique musical instruments to suit his compositions, which often required microtonal tunings not available on standard instruments. Some of the notable instruments he created include:

1. Chromelodeon - A reed organ modified by Partch to conform to his 43-tone scale.
2. The Diamond Marimba - A marimba shaped in such a way as to visually and sonically represent the overtone series in the layout of its bars.
3. The Quadrangularis Reversum - Another marimba-like instrument, which has its bars arranged in a complex, quadrilateral shape.
4. The Zymo-Xyl - A xylophone-type instrument featuring a variety of resonating materials, such as bamboo, glass, and metal.
5. The Gourd Tree - With suspended gourds and cone-shaped resonators, used to produce ethereal, percussive sounds.
6. The Cloud-Chamber Bowls - Made from the tops of glass carboys, cut and suspended in frames, used for their clear, bell-like resonant tones.
7. The Spoils of War - A collection of various resonant objects such as artillery shell casings and other materials found in military surplus and scrap yards.
8. The Kithara - A large, multi-stringed instrument inspired by the ancient Greek kithara, but highly modified for Partch’s 43-tone scale. It has movable bridges and dampers operated by the performer’s feet.
9. The Surrogate Kithara - Similar to the Kithara but designed for easier transportation and handling.
10. The Eucal Blossom - A bamboo organ that produces sound when air is pushed through its tubes.

Each of these instruments played a crucial role in the unique soundscapes of Partch’s musical compositions, and their design is a testament to his creativity and dedication to exploring the boundaries of musical expression.

Harry Partch established his studio in various locations over his lifetime, as he often moved. A significant period was in the late 1940s when he settled in Gualala, California, and built what he called "the Studio of the Corporeal Meadows," where he composed, lived, and built many of his unique instruments. Over the years, Partch would relocate his studio several times according to his projects and funding, each studio housing his collection of unique instruments and serving as a space for his creative output.

Harry Partch passed away on September 3, 1974.

Harry Partch wrote "Genesis of a Music" in 1949. This book is an elaboration of Partch's theories on music, particularly his advocacy for microtonal scales and his invention of a 43-tone scale. In it, Partch discusses his philosophy of music, his scale, and the instruments he built to play his compositions. "Genesis of a Music" is considered seminal in the fields of microtonal music and musical theory.

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