Harry Partch

Harry Partch

Fellow: Awarded 1943
Field of Study: Music Composition
Fellow: Awarded 1944
Field of Study: Music Composition
Fellow: Awarded 1950
Field of Study: Music Composition

Competition: US & Canada

As published in the Foundation’s Report for 1943–44:

PARTCH, HARRY.  Appointed for creative work in musical composition based on a system of music, instruments and notation having 43 tones to the octave, and on harmonization and dramatization of the inflections of spoken words; tenure, twelve months from April 1, 1943.

Born June 24, 1901, Oakland, California.  Independent research and experiment in multi-tonal scales and instruments since 1923, including research at the British Museum, 1934–35.

Lectures and compositions based on musical theory “Monophony” presented in several cities of the United States, 1932–42. Principal compositions: Seventeen Lyrics by Li Po (for voice and Adapted Viola), performed in part by Rudolphine Radil and the composer, New Music Society, San Francisco, 1932, and in part by Calista Rogers and the composer in several studios and schools in Southern California, 1933; the Potion Scene from Romeo and Juliet (for voice and Adapted Viola), first performed by Rudolphine Radil and the composer, New Music Society, San Francisco, 1932; Two Psalms, performed at the composer’s concerts in California, 1932–33; Barstow—Eight Hitchhikers’ Inscriptions from a California Highway Railing (for two voices, Chromolodian, and Adapted Guitar), first performed by George Bishop, Gilman Chase, and the composer at the Manuel-Williamson Studios, Chicago, 1942, and performed by the composer (for voice and Adapted Guitar) at the University of Chicago, Bennington College, Eastman School of Music, 1942.

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