Composer

:

Harry Partch

Genre

:

Miscellaneous

Style

:

Miscellaneous

Compose Date

:

1935 - 1936

Bitter Music is a composition by Harry Partch, an American composer and instrument maker. It was composed in 1941 and premiered in 1946. The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct characteristics. The first movement, titled "The Letter," is a setting of a letter written by a homeless man to his wife. Partch sets the text to a haunting melody played on his adapted viola, which he called the "adapted viola." The melody is accompanied by a drone played on his adapted guitar, which he called the "adapted guitar." The overall effect is one of sadness and despair, reflecting the plight of the homeless man. The second movement, titled "San Francisco," is a musical portrait of the city of San Francisco. Partch uses a variety of instruments, including his adapted viola, adapted guitar, and a set of tuned percussion instruments he called the "cloud chamber bowls." The movement is characterized by its driving rhythms and dissonant harmonies, which reflect the energy and chaos of the city. The third movement, titled "U.S. Highball," is a musical depiction of a train journey across the United States. Partch uses a variety of instruments, including his adapted viola, adapted guitar, and a set of tuned percussion instruments he called the "marimba eroica." The movement is characterized by its rhythmic complexity and its use of microtonal intervals, which reflect the changing landscape and the shifting moods of the journey. Overall, Bitter Music is a powerful and evocative work that showcases Partch's unique approach to music-making. His use of microtonal intervals and his invention of new instruments give the piece a distinctive sound that is both haunting and beautiful. The piece is a testament to Partch's vision and his commitment to creating music that is both innovative and emotionally powerful.

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