Bali to New York

Music:

Member Since: 3/13/2007
Band Website: www.soundaffairs.co.uk
Sounds Like: LOU HARRISON
Over fifty years ago Lou Harrison (1917 - 2003) composer, environmentalist and gay icon, quietly began his own musical revolution. With superb craftsmanship he combined a reverence for world cultures, a passionate belief in social equity and a love of melody and beauty, in all its forms, to create his own world of music.

In his over 300 compositions for western, eastern, and custom-made instruments Lou Harrison wrote for symphony orchestra, ballet, small chamber ensembles and soloists. He was a musical innovator and a visionary in the truest sense-- tirelessly knocking on the door of possibility. Michael Tilson Thomas acknowledged Harrison's mastery by commissioning him to compose "Parade for M.T.T." the first piece of music Tilson Thomas conducted as Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony. Performers such as Keith Jarrett, Yo-Yo Ma, The Mark Morris Dance Group and Dennis Russell Davies also premiered Harrison's music.

Beyond his myriad musical accomplishments, Harrison's outspoken, lifelong, involvement in political activism ranging from pre-Stonewall gay rights and early civil rights, to pacifism and countless environmental causes, garnered him icon status in many communities. He was recognized with countless awards including membership in the American Academy of Arts and Letters; "Humanitarian of the Year" from by the American Humanist Association; the Michael Callen Medal of Achievement from the Annual Gay/Lesbian American Music Awards (GLAMA), and Musical America's composer of the year 2002.

COLIN McPHEE (1900 - 1964)
was a composer, ethnomusicologist, pianist and writer. His studies of the music, dance and theatre of Bali and Java gained him international recognition as an authority on the subjects, and they also influenced several of his symphonic, choral and chamber compositions, among which are his Tabuh-Tabuhan and Balinese Ceremonial Music for orchestra.
Record Label: Unsigned