Lou Harrison

Lou Silver Harrison (May 14, 1917 – February 2, 2003) was an American composer, music critic, music theorist, painter, and creator of unique musical instruments. Harrison initially wrote in a dissonant, ultramodernist style similar to his former teacher and contemporary, Henry Cowell, but later moved toward incorporating elements of non-Western cultures into his work. Notable examples include a number of pieces written for Javanese style gamelan instruments, inspired after studying with noted gamelan musician Kanjeng Notoprojo in Indonesia. Harrison would create his own musical ensembles and instruments with his partner, William Colvig, who are now both considered founders of the American gamelan movement and world music; along with composers Harry Partch and Claude Vivier, and ethnomusicologist Colin McPhee. The majority of Harrison's works and custom instruments are written for just intonation rather than the more widespread equal temperament, making him one of the most prominent composers to have experimented with microtones. He was also one of the first composers to have written in the international language Esperanto, and among the first to incorporate strong themes of homosexuality in his music.

Lou Harrison: String Quartet Set - 2025-02-28T00:00:00.000000Z

Pastiches - 2024-07-05T00:00:00.000000Z

Lou Harrison: The Complete Musical Heritage Society Recordings - 2022-03-18T00:00:00.000000Z

Harrison: Suites & Thomson: Stabat Mater and Capital, Capitals (Remastered) - 2019-06-21T00:00:00.000000Z

Harrison & Marshall: Choral Works (Live) - 2018-09-21T00:00:00.000000Z

Similar Artists

International Contemporary Ensemble

Paul DeMarinis

Ensemble Recherche

Christopher Cerrone

Loadbang

André Souris

Ensemble Avantgarde

Moondog

American Composers Orchestra

Kenneth Karlsson