Lou Harrison
The American composer, dancer, dance accompanist, instrument builder and puppeteer Lou Harrison died on Sunday 2 February 2003, aged 85, collapsing in Chicago whilst travelling to a festival of his music in Ohio. Born in Oregon on 14 May 1917, Harrison spent his childhood in the San Francisco Bay area, influenced by diverse cultures which included Californian Spanish and Mexican, Cantonese Opera, Gregorian Chant and Indonesian Gamelan music. His first work was as a dancer and dance accompanist, but he also began producing percussion compositions with home-made instruments, working closely with John Cage and studying with Arnold Schoenberg. In New York in the 1940s Harrison worked as a music critic for the Herald Tribune, bringing attention to the music of Charles Ives, and he taught at Black Mountain College before moving back to California, where he remained for the rest of his life.  Harrison's powerful music captures styles from all over the world, successfully transcending cultural boundaries, and placing him at the forefront of American composers.
Information: www.peermusic.com/classical/HarrisonEssay.htm
Posted: 4 February 2003
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