Instruments of Harry Partch
Instruments of Harry Partch
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Harry Partch in Honolulu, with WHP advisor Peter Coraggio 1971
Though hardly recognized by the musical establishment in his own lifetime, Harry Partch literally built the foundation upon which contemporary just intonation practitioners stand.
In his book, GENESIS OF A MUSIC, he outlined the history of intonation around the world, from ancient times to the first half of the twentieth-century.
In this work, he presented the basic concepts and arguments essential to a useful understanding of just intonation.
In the process, he formulated certain terms and methods of procedure that provide a practical means for actual work and development in this field.
Just as important, he made the essential leap from confinement to traditional scales and chords (including previous forms of just intonation) to an entirely new realm, made possible by the introduction of prime numbers greater than 5 into the ratios of intervals.
This last factor unlocked new dimensions of melody and harmony, through extended chords and microtonal melodic movement.
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(excerpted from THE NATURAL HARMONIC SERIES AS A PRACTICAL APPROACH TO JUST INTONATION, by Denny Genovese)
Denny Genovese playing the Partch Instruments at San Diego State University in 1978:
(Danlee Mitchell presiding)
Model, made by a SDSU student
The Instruments
Perhaps Partch is most remembered as the inventor of a large orchestra of unique instruments, specially designed to play his 43 tone to the duple (octave) Just Intonation scale.
After Partch's death in 1974, his instruments were stewarded by Danlee Mitchell, at San Diego State University.
Danlee taught many students to play them, and presented many performances with them throughout the world.
Bass Marimba
Boo
Marimba Eroica
Cloud Chamber Bowls
Chromelodien
Jonathan Santo with Danlee Mitchell
(Danlee was the 1st heir to Partch's Instruments and Jonathan is the Current Possessor)
Dean Drummond (L) became heir of the Partch instruments around 1990, when Danlee Mitchell passed them to the future.
Dean was founder of the Partch Studies program at Montclair University in New Jersey.
Denny Genovese (R) is shown with him in a 2002 visit.
For much more about Harry Partch, his music and his instruments, visit his website.
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