Composer

:

Harry Partch

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

1943

Average_duration

:

3:05

Harry Partch's "The Letter" is a chamber music work composed in 1943. It premiered on May 16, 1944, at the Cornish School of the Arts in Seattle, Washington. The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own unique characteristics. The first movement, titled "The Letter," is a setting of a letter from a friend of Partch's who was serving in World War II. The music is characterized by its use of spoken word, with the letter being recited by a narrator over a background of percussive and stringed instruments. The instruments used in this movement include the Adapted Viola, the Kithara, and the Chromelodeon. The second movement, titled "The Reply," is Partch's response to the letter. This movement is more melodic than the first, with the Adapted Viola taking on a prominent role. The music is characterized by its use of just intonation, a tuning system that divides the octave into pure intervals. Partch was a proponent of just intonation and used it extensively in his compositions. The third movement, titled "The Diary of a Fly," is a setting of a poem by Partch. The music is characterized by its use of microtonality, a tuning system that divides the octave into smaller intervals than those used in traditional Western music. The instruments used in this movement include the Diamond Marimba, the Cloud-Chamber Bowls, and the Spoils of War. Overall, "The Letter" is a unique and innovative work that showcases Partch's unconventional approach to music composition. The use of spoken word, just intonation, and microtonality all contribute to the piece's distinctive sound.

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