PARTCH Ensemble—the Grammy Award-winning ensemble specializing in the music of the iconoclastic composer Harry Partch—presents a triple bill of premieres performed on Partch’s extraordinary instruments.
This year’s program includes the LA debut of Partch’s five-part Summer 1955, a setting of texts ranging from Psalm 137 and Shakespeare’s “Potion Scene” to Alice in Wonderland’s Adventures, and culminating in the composer’s clarinet arrangement of Ulysses written for jazz great Chet Baker.
Composer Evan Ziporyn, described as “intoxicating” (The New York Times), presents the world premiere of Earth Studies, inspired by the visionary work of the DesignEarth architecture team whose texts and images intersect with Partch’s unique soundscape.
Stephen James Taylor, known for his film scores, premieres HEAVE HO, bringing together hip hop, minimalism, microtonal, and pop music with Afro-futurism.
The program includes an instrument “petting zoo”: audiences are encouraged to interact with the instruments on stage after the show.