A Rambunctious Sound-Musical Analyst 2
History, Instrumentation, and Tone
The captivating artistic appeal of this composition immediately caught my attention. However, when I
attempted to write a blog post about it, I quickly realized that the intricate
nature of the composer and the instruments used in the piece made it a
challenging task. It was not hard for me to realize that Harry's music is
complex beyond the reach of anyone except advanced musical scholars or
mathematicians, which I am neither. Nevertheless, it was an opportunity to
hone my communication skills and delve deeper into a song I enjoy and would like to better articulate. Despite the limited information available about the composition,
I learned about Harry Partch's extraordinary life, Instruments, and lasting impact on the
music industry.
Harry Partch was an exceptional
artist whose life story reads like a captivating fable. He is widely
recognized as one of the most innovative American classical composers of the
20th century. Harry, also known as "The Hobo Composer," has spent most of
his life without a permanent home, often living out of his car. Despite facing challenges, Harry received unwavering support from his friends on his path to success as a composer. Partch explored microtonal scales and invented his own
instruments to bring his unique musical vision to life. Harry's upbringing in a
family of cultured missionaries profoundly impacted his music, exhibiting striking similarities to ancient Greek and traditional Chinese tones. His compositions showcase an impressive fusion of diverse musical
elements characterized by high technical sophistication. His
unconventional approach led to compositions distinguished by their
distinctive sound and use of nontraditional instruments. Despite being
self-taught, Harry Partch left an enduring mark on the world of music theory
and composition, and his legacy continues to inspire contemporary experimental
music.
The 1952 release of "Castor and Pollux: A Dance for the Twin Rhythms of Gemini by Harry Partch, produced by Gate 5 Records, showcases the exceptional artistic expertise of the composer. The piece is a fine example of Partch's mastery of microtonal music, as demonstrated by the intricate composition and innovative use of bespoke instruments.
(3) Kithara II
Harry Partch personally crafted the instrumentation for the tune Castor and Pollux, utilizing six distinct instruments. Among these is the (1) Cloud Chamber Bowls, which resemble scientific equipment from days ago. These bowls are fashioned from Pyrex carboys with a 12-gallon capacity, sliced in half, and hung in the air by ropes attached to a towering frame crafted from redwood. Each of these bowls produces a distinct sound when paired with the mallets. The (2) Diamond Marimba is a unique musical instrument originating from just intonation. Unlike conventional musical instruments, which are typically tuned in equal temperament, the Diamond Marimba arranges its notes in a matrix based on a system of pure intervals. This matrix comprises tones and undertones and is designed to facilitate the creation of harmonically rich and complex musical compositions. (3) Kithara II is a lyre-style musical instrument that features 72 strings made up of guitar, tenor guitar, and banjo strings, all of which are tuned using guitar tuning heads. It produces a unique sound that blends the characteristics of slide guitar with Greek notations. The (4) Harmonic Cannon, two resonating boxes with 44 strings across the top, is set on Ancient Greek scales. The (5) Surrogate Kithara is a self-made musical instrument incorporating Chinese traditional music's rich overtones. It is a tribute to the profound influence of Harry's early childhood experiences, particularly the Asian lullabies that his mother used to sing to him. These experiences have left an indelible mark on his musical taste, reflected in this instrument's unique features. The (6) Bass Marimba percussion instrument is renowned for its distinctive low pitch, created by eleven tones spanning two octaves. Its versatility is attributed to its ability to be played using different techniques, including sticks, mallets, and even bare hands.
Texture, Dynamics, and Duration
While
analyzing Castor and Pollux, I observed that no instrument is ever played in
isolation. It is always played in duos; if not in a duo, all six instruments
play in unison. This collaborative approach to music is a testament to the
importance of harmony and balance in the composition. It highlights the need
for each instrument to complement the other, resulting in a cohesive and harmonious
musical piece. Despite being shorter than sixteen minutes, the song is still notable for its duration. The piece is
skillfully crafted with intricate microtonal harmonies and diverse sounds that
occupy every moment with reverberating tones, eliminating any sonic gaps or
voids. The complex and intricate melodic
sequences of the Kithara, diamond, and bass marimba keep you constantly
engaged. The Marimbas form a musical duo that conjures up the lively
visuals of a traditional cartoon chase scene. Their dynamic and vibrant
performance captures the playful and high-speed essence of an exhilarating
pursuit akin to an animated film. The fusion of their instruments and melodies
creates a sonorous experience that echoes the comical and thrilling antics of
cartoon figures in pursuit. The complicated interplay
of the marimba sticks, complex overtones, and intense percussive beats of the
cloud chamber bowl imbue the melody with a lively and energetic vibe best
described as rambunctious. Using mallets or hands to play the Bass marimba adds
to the dynamic fluctuations, creating even more disorderly yet captivating
rhythms. The Harmonic Cannon, a string
instrument, is used throughout the song as a form of vocals despite the
absence of actual singing. The Kataria II produces various gradations that
closely resemble the timbre of a human voice, resulting in a distinctive sound
compared to the evocative melody of a Chinese violin. Harry drew inspiration
from this and incorporated it into the composition.
JOHNSON, JAKE. (2015). “Unstuck in time”: Harry Partch's Bilocated Life. Journal of the Society for American Music. 9. 163-177. 10.1017/S1752196315000048.
Gilmore Bob. Harry Partch : A Biography. Yale University Press 1998.
Instruments by Harry Partch." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 2 Jun. 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instruments_by_Harry_Partch. Accessed 25 Feb. 2024.
"Just Intonation." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 22 Feb. 2024,
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_intonation. Accessed 25 Feb. 2024.
"List of Works by Harry Partch." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 18 Sept. 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_works_by_Harry_Partch. Accessed 25 Feb. 2024.
File:Cloud-Chamber
Bowls.Jpg." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cloud-Chamber_Bowls.jpg. Accessed 23 Feb. 2024.
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