Genesis of a Music: The Genius of Harry Partch
VIEW EVENT DETAILSEvening performance and discussion with the CREATIVE TEAM
Registration 19:45;
Concert 20:00-21:00
Visionary composer, theorist, and creator of musical instruments, Harry Partch (1901–1974) grew up in California under the influence of Chinese lullabies and Cantonese opera. His parents were American missionaries in China and he even claimed to have been conceived in the country. Only three complete ensembles of Partch’s iconoclastic instruments exist in the world. In recent months, Hong Kong has seen its first emulation of these inventions; some inspired by the original plans, and others created through alterations of Chinese instruments.
Growing out of hands-on educational workshops at University of Hong Kong, this performance — the first offered to the public — promises a first peek at this entirely original type of instrumental group and also puts on stage China-inspired musical excerpts from Partch’s compositions between 1930 and 1960. The performance will be followed by a moderated discussion with the creative team.
CREATIVE TEAM:
Dr. Eli Marshall, Hong Kong-based Composer and Visiting Faculty, Cornell University, USA (Workshop Leader)
Mr. William Lane, Artistic Director, Hong Kong New Music Ensemble
Dr. Deborah Waugh, Director, University of Hong Kong Percussion Ensemble
Prof. Álvaro Barbosa, University of Saint Joseph, Macau (Moderator)
Excerpts from
Harry Partch: 17 lyrics by Li Po (1930/1933) [voice, adapted viola]
Harry Partch: Oedipus (1950/1952–1954/1967) [ensemble]
Harry Partch: Bewitched, Scene 1—Three Undergrads Become Transfigured in a Hong Kong Music Hall (1955) [large ensemble]
Performed by:
Hong Kong New Music Ensemble and The University of Hong Kong Percussion Ensemble.
Presented by
Event Details
Asia Society Hong Kong Center, 9 Justice Drive, Admiralty