On tuning(s), recordings, and affecting change

In a way, addressing a few of the recent threads...

I came across a review of a recent recording of keyboard works of Lou
Harrison on andante.com - you can read the review (and there is a nice
interview with Lou in the latest main pages) here:

http://www.andante.com/article/article.cfm?id=19715

What struck me, vis a vis recent threads, was the last paragraph:

"The most fascinating work here is 1957's Music for Corneille's Cinna, the
recording of which occasioned a controversy in microtonal music circles.
Burman-Hall first recorded it on a proper tack piano — but in the wrong
tuning; after some discussion among pianist, composer, record company and
others, she re-recorded it in Harrison's specified seven-limit just
intonation. The tuning matters because this landmark of microtonal
experimentation represents one of Harrison's most successful responses to
Partch's pioneering theories. (Burman-Hall and Bill Slye's informative CD
liner notes provide a fuller explanation of these tuning issues.) Despite
the temperamental experimentation, and a freewheeling structure that
eschews barlines, the music (written for a never-realized puppet production
of the classic French play) is a deeply affecting evocation of both the
ancient Rome of the script and the 17th-century Paris of the playwright. As
with so much of this composer's work, Cinna manages to be at once radically
progressive and strikingly beautiful. It's spellbinding music like this
that makes Lou Harrison one of the great composers of the 20th century."

Look at what we see:

"The tuning matters..."
"...liner notes provide a fuller explanation of these tuning issues."
"successful responses to Partch's pioneering theories."

But most important are the last two sentences: progressive, beautiful,
spellbinding, and composorial accolades for the last century. If anyone
wants to take up a challenge to the ruling tuning, they might note that it
wasn't papers, opinions, diagrams, or experiments on display. Those
activities might prime the pump, but music, and only music, will win the
day. And night.

Cheers,
Jon

`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`
Real Life: Orchestral Percussionist
Web Life: "Corporeal Meadows" - about Harry Partch
http://www.corporeal.com/
NOTE:
If your reply bounces, try --> jonszanto@yahoo.com