LOU HARRISON:
A World of Music
A film by Eva Soltes
SYNOPSIS
Lou Harrison: A World of Music offers a rare glimpse into the intimate personal struggles and artistic courage of the legendary American composer, writer and activist Lou Harrison (1917-2003). Trading a fast-paced New York career for a remote cabin in the woods to recover from a breakdown, Lou Harrison confronted his demons by writing beautiful music. Bucking the dissonant sound of the times he embraced “delight over duty,” freely combining western, eastern and custom-made instruments built by him and his life partner, William Colvig. Harrison’s unbridled curiosity and command of musical language produced one of the great cross-cultural legacies of the 20th century. Directed by filmmaker and music producer Eva Soltes, who was closely associated with Harrison, this feature-length documentary is drawn from over 25 years and 300 hours of performances, rehearsals and interviews conducted with Harrison and his contemporaries including choreographer Merce Cunningham and conductor Michael Tilson Thomas.
Credits
Eva Soltes, Producer/Director/Cinematographer
Robbi Robb, Editor/Digital Effects
Eva Soltes, Editor/Sound Editor
Jim McKee and Andrew Roth - Earwax Productions, Sound Designers
Chris Jenkins and Frank A. Montano - NBC Universal, Re-Recording Mixers
Bill Meadows, Recordist
Additional Camera Operators: Eli Adler, Emiko Omori, Jerry Slick, John Miglietta, Scott Sinkler and Witt Motts
“An affecting documentary”
The New Yorker
“Engagingly pays homage to a composer who remains perhaps the most warmly accessible figure in the American musical avant-garde .”
Variety
“Beautiful and lyrical”
Michael Tilson Thomas