# Harry Partch

> American composer, music theorist, creator of musical instruments

**Wikidata**: [Q201494](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q201494)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Partch)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/harry-partch

## Summary
Harry Partch was an American composer, music theorist, and creator of musical instruments, known for pioneering avant-garde and outsider music through his innovative instruments and theoretical works. He is celebrated for his experimental approach to sound and composition, which challenged traditional musical conventions.

## Biography
- Born: June 24, 1901, in San Francisco, California
- Nationality: American
- Known for: Developing new musical instruments and composing avant-garde and outsider music
- Employer(s): Columbia Records (associated with)
- Field(s): Composition, music theory, instrument design

## Contributions
Harry Partch designed and built over 400 custom instruments, including the prepared piano, which he used in his compositions. He published *Genesis of a Music* (1949), a foundational text on his theoretical system of music. His work influenced later avant-garde and experimental musicians.

## FAQs
**What kind of instruments did Harry Partch create?**
Harry Partch designed over 400 custom instruments, including the prepared piano, kithara, and chromelodeon, which expanded the range of musical expression.

**What was Harry Partch's most influential theoretical work?**
His most influential work was *Genesis of a Music* (1949), which outlined his theoretical system for creating and tuning instruments.

**How did Harry Partch's music differ from traditional compositions?**
Partch's music was avant-garde and experimental, often using unconventional instruments and tuning systems to create unique sounds.

**Was Harry Partch associated with any record labels?**
Yes, he was associated with Columbia Records, where some of his works were released.

## Why They Matter
Harry Partch's innovative instruments and theoretical contributions revolutionized music by introducing new ways of creating and tuning sounds. His work laid the groundwork for avant-garde and experimental music, influencing generations of composers and musicians. Without his contributions, the landscape of experimental music would have been significantly different.

## Notable For
- Designing over 400 custom instruments, including the prepared piano
- Publishing *Genesis of a Music* (1949), a foundational text on his theoretical system
- Pioneering avant-garde and experimental music through unconventional instruments and compositions
- Being associated with Columbia Records, where some of his works were released
- Influencing later avant-garde and experimental musicians with his innovative approach to sound

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Harry Partch was born on June 24, 1901, in San Francisco, California. He studied music at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and later at the University of California, Berkeley, where he developed his interest in experimental music and instrument design.

### Instrument Design and Composition
Partch designed and built over 400 custom instruments, including the prepared piano, kithara, and chromelodeon. These instruments allowed him to explore new sounds and tuning systems, which he used in his compositions. His work challenged traditional musical conventions and expanded the possibilities of sound.

### Theoretical Contributions
Partch published *Genesis of a Music* (1949), which outlined his theoretical system for creating and tuning instruments. This work became a foundational text for understanding his approach to music and influenced later theorists and composers.

### Influence and Legacy
Harry Partch's innovative instruments and theoretical contributions had a lasting impact on the world of music. His work inspired generations of avant-garde and experimental musicians, who continued to push the boundaries of sound and composition. Partch's legacy endures through his instruments, compositions, and theoretical writings, which remain influential in the field of experimental music.

### Awards and Recognition
Partch received the Guggenheim Fellowship in 1925, which supported his early work in music theory and instrument design. His contributions were recognized posthumously, with his instruments and compositions being celebrated for their groundbreaking nature.

### Association with Columbia Records
Partch was associated with Columbia Records, where some of his works were released. This association helped bring his experimental music to a wider audience, further solidifying his place in the history of avant-garde and experimental music.

## References

1. Guggenheim Fellows database
2. Integrated Authority File
3. BnF authorities
4. The Fine Art Archive
5. MusicBrainz
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. CiNii Research
8. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
9. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
10. Musicalics
11. The New York Times
12. Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians
13. Library of Congress Authorities
14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
15. [Source](http://www.ubu.com/sound/partch.html)
16. [Source](http://www.ubu.com/film/partch.html)
17. Discogs
18. LIBRIS. 2018
19. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
20. performing-arts.ch