Among the few truly experimental composers in our cultural history; Harry Partchs life (1901ndash;1974) and music embody most completely the quintessential American rootlessness; isolation; pre-civilized cult of experience; and dichotomy of practical invention and transcendental visions. Having lived mostly in the remote deserts of Arizona and New Mexico with no access to formal training; Partch naturally created theatrical ritualistic works incorporating Indian chants; Japanese kabuki and Noh; Polynesian microtones; Balinese gamelan; Greek tragedy; dance; mime; and sardonic commentary on Hollywood and commercial pop music of modern civilization. First published in 1949; Genesis of a Music is the manifesto of Partchs radical compositional practice and instruments (which owe nothing to the 300-year-old European tradition of Western music.) He contrasts Abstract and Corporeal music; proclaiming the latter as the vital; emotionally tactile form derived from the spoken word (like Greek; Chinese; Arabic; and Indian musics) and surveys the history of world music at length from this perspective. Parts II; III; and IV explain Partchs theories of scales; intonation; and instrument construction with copious acoustical and mathematical documentation. Anyone with a musically creative attitude; whether or not familiar with traditional music theory; will find this book revelatory.
#378595 in eBooks 2015-10-15 2016-02-11File Name: B0196Z9N6Q
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Has some good ideas which I have adapted/modified but a bit too ...By RozGIf you are totally into the boho look and are skilled with a sewing machine. then this is for you! Has some good ideas which I have adapted/modified but a bit too raggy for this older lady!2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Patricia A JonesNice info.1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Are you kidding me????By SuzanneAt first I wanted to give this 1 star...however. it does give you "some" ideas. I would only wear one of these fashions and that is the one on the cover with the red beret. All the rest look like rag heaps. or. they look like they were made from scraps by a child. My kids would not have worn any of these. You would not be able to wash them. either. for fear of losing all the pieces in the washer. Im just glad I picked this book up at the library......no money lost and returned quickly. .
