Review of Bitter Music: Collected Journals, Essays, Introductions, and Librettos by Harry Partch

I am reading his journal from the 30's, contained in this volume, for research purposes, but goddamn it is good. Partch was a cantankerous, singular composer in the mid part of the twentieth century whose quest for his precise and peculiar music puts him in close quarters with French sailors, all the organ builders in London, hobos, William Butler Yeats, prisoners named Mandolin-face and Kain-tuck, and briefly, King George and Queen Mary of England, in locations ranging from the train yard in San Luis Obispo to the beaches in Italy. If you are unfamiliar with or not a fan of Mr. Partch's music, this tale might seem Quixotic at best, but for those already in his hobo camp, this is inspiring and revelatory.

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