Partch Ensemble - Harry Partch: The Wayward (2025)

“A collection of musical compositions based on the spoken and written words of hobos and other characters—the result of my wanderings in the Western part of the United States from 1935 to 1941.”

Bridge Records is pleased to issue the latest recording by Partch Ensemble, the Grammy Award winning new music group specializing in the music and instruments of the iconoclastic American composer Harry Partch. Partch's "The Wayward" in the composer's own words, is "a collection of musical compositions based on the spoken and written words of hobos and other characters-the result of my wanderings in the Western part of the United States from 1935 to 1941." This is the world premiere recording of Partch's complete cycle.

Harry Partch (1901-1974), one of the greatest and most individualistic composers of all time, who created dozens of incredible instruments for the performance of his music, created one of the most amazing bodies of sensually alluring and emotionally powerful music of the 20th century. Closely connected with his name is NEWBAND, an ensemble founded by Dean Drummond, which received custodianship of the original Harry Partch Instrument Collection in 1990 and has since been involved with resurrecting Partch's great works.

TRACKLIST

1. Partch Ensemble - Partch: Barstow
2. Partch Ensemble - Partch: San Francisco
3. Partch Ensemble - Partch: The Letter
4. Partch Ensemble - Partch: U.S. Highball
5. Partch Ensemble - Partch: Ulysses at the Edge
6. Partch Ensemble - Partch: Ulysses at the Edge (Improv Version) (Bonus Track Version)