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Donald Macleod explores a period when Harrison composed an opera on a gay theme, Young Caesar.

Lou Silver Harrison was an American, multi-faceted composer who died in 2003. In his music he explored a synthesis of Asian and Western influences, just intonation, and writing for percussion ensemble. He also involved himself in the arts as a performer, dancer, instrument maker, critic, puppeteer, poet, painter and much more. Harrison’s interest in Asian cultures began when he was very young, and remained a significant influence on his work for the rest of his life. He enjoyed working with Gamelan percussion and instruments from Korea or China. With his partner William Colvig, Harrison also made his own instruments including an American Gamelan, for which he composed multiple works. Harrison took lessons with Henry Cowell and Arnold Schoenberg, and also collaborated with John Cage in exploring the possibilities of percussion ensembles. His career as a composer developed in the world of dance and theatre, supplementing his income as a critic and, later, as a teacher.

Today, Donald brings us to 1966, when Lou Harrison met William (Bill) Colvig on a night out to a restaurant. This encounter turned into a relationship, which lasted over thirty years. Bill moved in with Lou, and they began to work together building musical instruments, including an American gamelan. Harrison composed a number of works for this ensemble, including his Suite for Violin and American Gamelan. Bill also suggested that Lou should write an opera on a gay theme, and this turned out to be Young Caesar. The opera included elements of puppetry, which given the lack of emotional expression, was a cause for some criticism after the opera's premiere.

Harrison was now on the verge of a new musical period in his life. He began lessons on the Javanese gamelan, and he would write many works for this ensemble including a Double Concerto. Harrison and Colvig’s home became an expression of their varied interests; there were Korean paintings, Persian rugs, a Buddhist shrine and a workshop where they could make instruments. Harrison said that his fifties were one of the happiest periods in his life.

A Waltz for Evelyn Hinrichsen
Eric Moe, piano

Music for Bill and Me
Esther Gattoni, harp

Young Caesar (Act I: What is so fine about becoming a man)
Brian Staufenbiel, tenor
California Parallèle Ensemble
Nicole Paiement, conductor

Young Caesar (Act II: And that crown)
Brian Staufenbiel, tenor
California Parallèle Ensemble
Nicole Paiement, conductor

Suite for violin and American Gamelan (excerpt)
Gabriela Diaz, violin
Boston Modern Orchestra Project
Gil Rose, conductor

Double Concerto for Javanese gamelan, violin and cello (excerpt)
Kenneth Goldsmith, violin
Terry King, cello
Mills College Gamelan Ensemble

Third Symphony (Largo ostinato)
Cabrillo Music Festival Orchestra
Dennis Russell Davies, conductor

Piano Concerto with selected orchestra (excerpt)
Keith Jarrett, piano
New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra
Naoto Otomo, conductor

Produced by Luke Whitlock