KPFA-FM Music Dept. ➔ Morning Concert: The Music of Lou Harrison: A Celebration, 1 of 2

Analog Audio

Event Type

Interview and Music

Origin

KPFA

Identifier

MC.1980.12.18.A

Program Series

Morning Concert

Program Length

131 min

Part

1 of 2

Dates

1980-12-18 | broadcast
| 402 | created

Description

From a program originally broadcast in December 1980, Charles Amirkhanian talks with composer Lou Harrison. Harrison, one of the preeminent American composers of the 20th century, is perhaps best known for is incorporation of non-Western instruments and styles into his compositions, and particularly his work with gamelan instruments and percussion ensembles. This program includes a selection of such works, most featuring gamelan instruments built by Harrison life partner William Colvig, who is also in the studio for this interview. Harrison describes the pieces played as well as providing some information about the various tuning systems employed and their relationship to earlier forms of Western classical music. Despite Harrison’s departure from traditional instruments and equal temperament, the music he has written remains consonant and quite beautiful to the ear, matching his delightfully warm and playful personality, all of which is on full display in this informative and intriguing program.

Genres

20th century classical
New music

Musical Selections

Suite, for violin, piano, and small orchestra [second gamelan movement] (1951) (2:00) / Lou Harrison -- Discovering the Art of Korea [excerpts from a film soundtrack, talked over at times] (1979) -- Suite, for violin, piano, and small orchestra [excerpt] (1951) / Lou Harrison -- Coming To Meet, for gamelan (1980) (4:55) / Alexis Aldrich & Molly Holm -- Main Bersama-sama I (”Playing Together”) (1978) (7:38) / Lou Harrison -- Threnody for Carlos Chavez (1978) (7:05) / Lou Harrison -- Serenade: For Betty Freeman and Franco Assetto (1978) (5:57) / Lou Harrison

Performers

Maro Ajemian, piano (Suite)
Anahid Ajemian, violin (Suite)
Leopold Stokowski, conductor (Suite)
Gamelan Si Darius (Coming)
Gamelan Sekar Kembar (Main ; Threnody ; Serenade)
Richard Vosper, suling (Main)
Scott L. Hartman, French horn (Main)
Susan Bates, viola (Threnody)
Lou Harrison, suling (Serenade)

Subjects

20th century classical
New music
Suites (Violin and piano with chamber orchestra)
Motion picture music
Music -- Korea
Unconventional instruments
Musical instrument makers
Gamelan music
Musical intervals and scales
Horn with gamelan
Viola with gamelan
Suling with gamelan

Related places

Berkeley (Calif.) (was recorded at)
Berkeley (Calif.) (was broadcast at)

Related Entities

Gamelan Si Darius
Gamelan Sekar Kembar
Amirkhanian, Charles
Harrison, Lou, 1917-2003
Colvig, William, 1917-2000
Alrich, Alexis
Holm, Molly
Ajemian, Maro
Ajemian, Anahid
Stokowski, Leopold, 1882-1977
Hartman, Scott L.
Bates, Susan