Where so many American composers of the 19th and 20th Centuries, especially those of the East Coast, looked back across the Atlantic to Europe for their musical models, Lou Harrison (born May 14, 1917 in Portland, Oregon) was a distinctly West Coast composer and looked to the music and culture of the Pacific Rim for inspiration—and inspiration he found. Wednesday afternoon, in honor of the anniversary of Harrison's birth, Foley Schuler will feature music of this American maverick and innovator, including some musical manifestations of his longtime love affair with Javanese Gamelan music. Lou Harrison also wrote one of the major modern concertos for the traditional Chinese Lute, known as the Pipa. We'll hear that as well, as one of the world's great masters of the Pipa, Wu Man, teams up with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
You can hear Foley Schuler's musical selections—and stories behind the music—every weekday afternoon from 1 until 5 on Blue Lake Public Radio.
