Listen to Lou Harrison, watch music videos, read bio, see tour dates & more!

Classical

United States

Lou Harrison

Top Songs By Lou Harrison

Labrynth No. 3 (1941): Passage Thru DreamsLou Harrison & Maelström Percussion Ensemble

Listen to Concerto for Piano with Javanese Gamelan: III. Belle's Bull (feat. Evan Ziporyn & Jody Diamond) by Lou Harrison, Sarah Cahill & Gamelan Galak Tika, see lyrics, music video & more!

Concerto for Piano with Javanese Gamelan: III. Belle's Bull (feat. Evan Ziporyn & Jody Diamond)Lou Harrison, Sarah Cahill & Gamelan Galak Tika

Listen to Concerto for Piano with Javanese Gamelan: II. [Untitled] [feat. Evan Ziporyn & Jody Diamond] by Lou Harrison, Sarah Cahill & Gamelan Galak Tika, see lyrics, music video & more!

Concerto for Piano with Javanese Gamelan: II. [Untitled] [feat. Evan Ziporyn & Jody Diamond]Lou Harrison, Sarah Cahill & Gamelan Galak Tika

Listen to Concerto for Piano with Javanese Gamelan: I. Bull's Belle (feat. Evan Ziporyn & Jody Diamond) by Lou Harrison, Sarah Cahill & Gamelan Galak Tika, see lyrics, music video & more!

Concerto for Piano with Javanese Gamelan: I. Bull's Belle (feat. Evan Ziporyn & Jody Diamond)Lou Harrison, Sarah Cahill & Gamelan Galak Tika

Listen to Labrynth No. 3 (1941): Image in the Soil by Lou Harrison & Maelström Percussion Ensemble, see lyrics, music video & more!

Labrynth No. 3 (1941): Image in the SoilLou Harrison & Maelström Percussion Ensemble

Listen to Labrynth No. 3 (1941): Seed by Lou Harrison & Maelström Percussion Ensemble, see lyrics, music video & more!

Labrynth No. 3 (1941): SeedLou Harrison & Maelström Percussion Ensemble

Listen to Labrynth No. 3 (1941): Ode by Lou Harrison & Maelström Percussion Ensemble, see lyrics, music video & more!

Labrynth No. 3 (1941): OdeLou Harrison & Maelström Percussion Ensemble

Listen to Bomba (1939) by Lou Harrison & Maelström Percussion Ensemble, see lyrics, music video & more!

Bomba (1939)Lou Harrison & Maelström Percussion Ensemble

Listen to Fifth Simfony (1939): Brisk by Lou Harrison & Maelström Percussion Ensemble, see lyrics, music video & more!

Fifth Simfony (1939): BriskLou Harrison & Maelström Percussion Ensemble

Listen to Fifth Simfony (1939): Slow and Dramatic by Lou Harrison & Maelström Percussion Ensemble, see lyrics, music video & more!

Fifth Simfony (1939): Slow and DramaticLou Harrison & Maelström Percussion Ensemble

More albums from Lou Harrison

Listen to Pastiches by John Schneider, Matthew Cook & Gloria Cheng

ALBUMPastichesJohn Schneider, Matthew Cook & Gloria Cheng

Listen to Cold Stability by Christopher Whyte

ALBUMCold StabilityChristopher Whyte

Listen to Agócs, Harrison & Rodríguez: Works for Violin & Percussion Orchestra by Nicholas Kitchen, New England Conservatory Percussion Ensemble & Frank Epstein

ALBUMAgócs, Harrison & Rodríguez: Works for Violin & Percussion OrchestraNicholas Kitchen, New England Conservatory Percussion Ensemble & Frank Epstein

Listen to American Percussion Works by Percurama Percussion Ensemble, Signe Asmussen, Niklas Walentin & Jean Thorel

ALBUMAmerican Percussion WorksPercurama Percussion Ensemble, Signe Asmussen, Niklas Walentin & Jean Thorel

Listen to Killmayer: Missa Brevis - Harrison: Mass (Remastered) by Margaret Hillis, New York Concert Orchestra & New York Concert Choir

ALBUMKillmayer: Missa Brevis - Harrison: Mass (Remastered)Margaret Hillis, New York Concert Orchestra & New York Concert Choir

Listen to The Planets by Avalokite Duo & Lou Harrison

ALBUMThe PlanetsAvalokite Duo & Lou Harrison

Listen to Gamelan on Piano by Charisse Baldoria

ALBUMGamelan on PianoCharisse Baldoria

Listen to Harrison & Adams: Works for Harp, Guitar & Percussion by Just Strings

ALBUMHarrison & Adams: Works for Harp, Guitar & PercussionJust Strings

Listen to Postcards from the Soul by Tasha Smith Godinez, Omar Firestone & Leopoldo Gonzalez

ALBUMPostcards from the SoulTasha Smith Godinez, Omar Firestone & Leopoldo Gonzalez

Listen to Lou Harrison: La Koro Sutro by Boston Modern Orchestra Project & Gil Rose

ALBUMLou Harrison: La Koro SutroBoston Modern Orchestra Project & Gil Rose

Listen to Preludes, Problems & Prayers by Heather W. Reichgott

ALBUMPreludes, Problems & PrayersHeather W. Reichgott

Listen to Five American Percussion Pieces by William Winant

ALBUMFive American Percussion PiecesWilliam Winant

Listen to Raga & Raj by Barry Phillips, Linda Burman-Hall & Lux Musica Ensemble

ALBUMRaga & RajBarry Phillips, Linda Burman-Hall & Lux Musica Ensemble

Listen to Zia: Del Sol String Quartet by Del Sol Quartet

ALBUMZia: Del Sol String QuartetDel Sol Quartet

Listen to American Mavericks by Michael Tilson Thomas & San Francisco Symphony

ALBUMAmerican MavericksMichael Tilson Thomas & San Francisco Symphony

ALBUMEvocaciónBrent Poe McCabe

Listen to Palace by Bill Brennan, Mark Duggan, Paul Houle, Blair MacKay, Andy Morris, Paul Ormandy, Bill Parsons, Andrew Timar, John Wyre, Alan Hetherington & Ernie Tollar

ALBUMPalaceBill Brennan, Mark Duggan, Paul Houle, Blair MacKay, Andy Morris, Paul Ormandy, Bill Parsons, Andrew Timar, John Wyre, Alan Hetherington & Ernie Tollar

ALBUMColorsGiacomo Fiore

Listen to Lou Harrison: Scenes from Cavafy by Gamelan Pacifica & Jarrad Powell

ALBUMLou Harrison: Scenes from CavafyGamelan Pacifica & Jarrad Powell

Listen to Harrison: Double Concerto for Violin & Cello with Javanese Gamelan by The Mirecourt Trio

ALBUMHarrison: Double Concerto for Violin & Cello with Javanese GamelanThe Mirecourt Trio

Listen to Viennese School: Teachers and Followers: Arnold Schönberg Vol. 2 by Steffen Schleiermacher

ALBUMViennese School: Teachers and Followers: Arnold Schönberg Vol. 2Steffen Schleiermacher

ALBUMLou Harrison: Scenes from CavafyGamelan Pacifica & Jarrad Powell

Listen to Music for Flute and Percussion by Rachel Rudich & Kory Grossman

ALBUMMusic for Flute and PercussionRachel Rudich & Kory Grossman

Listen to Cowell: Persian Set - Harrison: Suite by Leopold Stokowski & Members of Leopold Stokowski's Orchestra

ALBUMCowell: Persian Set - Harrison: SuiteLeopold Stokowski & Members of Leopold Stokowski's Orchestra

Listen to Henry Cowell: Persian Set/Lou Harrison: Suite by Leopold Stokowski & Members of Leopold Stokowski's Orchestra

ALBUMHenry Cowell: Persian Set/Lou Harrison: SuiteLeopold Stokowski & Members of Leopold Stokowski's Orchestra

Listen to Harrison: Suites for Tuned Guitars by John Schneider

ALBUMHarrison: Suites for Tuned GuitarsJohn Schneider

Listen to McPhee: Tabuh-tabuhan - Ung: Inner Voices - Harrison: Suite for Symphonic Strings by American Composers Orchestra & Dennis Russell Davies

ALBUMMcPhee: Tabuh-tabuhan - Ung: Inner Voices - Harrison: Suite for Symphonic StringsAmerican Composers Orchestra & Dennis Russell Davies

Listen to Sticks and Stones: Music for Percussion & Strings by Roger Braun

ALBUMSticks and Stones: Music for Percussion & StringsRoger Braun

Listen to Harrison: A Portrait by California Symphony & Barry Jekowsky

ALBUMHarrison: A PortraitCalifornia Symphony & Barry Jekowsky

Listen to Lou Harrison - A Portrait by Barry Jekowsky & California Symphony

ALBUMLou Harrison - A PortraitBarry Jekowsky & California Symphony

Listen to Harrison: Suite for Symphonic Strings, Strict Songs I-IV by Robert Whitney & The Louisville Orchestra

ALBUMHarrison: Suite for Symphonic Strings, Strict Songs I-IVRobert Whitney & The Louisville Orchestra

Listen to Harrison: For Strings by The New Professionals, Rebecca Miller & Man Wu

ALBUMHarrison: For StringsThe New Professionals, Rebecca Miller & Man Wu

Listen to Serenado by David Tanenbaum & William Winant

ALBUMSerenadoDavid Tanenbaum & William Winant

Listen to Harrison: Works 1939-2000 by California Parallèle Ensemble & Nicole Paiement

ALBUMHarrison: Works 1939-2000California Parallèle Ensemble & Nicole Paiement

Listen to Harrison: Works for Solo Keyboards by Linda Burman-Hall

ALBUMHarrison: Works for Solo KeyboardsLinda Burman-Hall

Listen to American Music for Harpsichord by Mark Kroll

ALBUMAmerican Music for HarpsichordMark Kroll

Listen to Harrison, L.: Double Concerto for Violin and Cello - Piano Trio by The Mirecourt Trio

ALBUMHarrison, L.: Double Concerto for Violin and Cello - Piano TrioThe Mirecourt Trio

Listen to Charles Ives: Decoration Day - Lou Harrison: Suite for Symphonic Strings by The Louisville Orchestra & Robert Whitney

ALBUMCharles Ives: Decoration Day - Lou Harrison: Suite for Symphonic StringsThe Louisville Orchestra & Robert Whitney

Listen to Labrynth by Lou Harrison & Maelström Percussion Ensemble

ALBUMLabrynthLou Harrison & Maelström Percussion Ensemble

Listen to Cage: Atlas Eclipticalis - Harrison: Suite for Violin and American Gamelan - Partch: Barstow by Phyllis Bryn-Julson, Stephen Mosko, Michael Ingham & CalArts Gamelan Ensemble

ALBUMCage: Atlas Eclipticalis - Harrison: Suite for Violin and American Gamelan - Partch: BarstowPhyllis Bryn-Julson, Stephen Mosko, Michael Ingham & CalArts Gamelan Ensemble

Listen to Harrison, L.: Homage To Lou Harrison (A), Vol. 2 - The Clay's Quintet - Rhymes With Silver - The Perilous Chapel - Ariadne - Bomba by Guido Facchin, Tammittam Percussion Ensemble & Vincenzo Caroli

ALBUMHarrison, L.: Homage To Lou Harrison (A), Vol. 2 - The Clay's Quintet - Rhymes With Silver - The Perilous Chapel - Ariadne - BombaGuido Facchin, Tammittam Percussion Ensemble & Vincenzo Caroli

Listen to Harrison, L.: Homage To Lou Harrison (A), Vol. 3 - In Praise of Johnny Appleseed - Music for Violin With Various Instruments - Labyrinth No. 3 by Giovanni Guglielmo, Guido Facchin, Tammittam Percussion Ensemble & Laura Mondiello

ALBUMHarrison, L.: Homage To Lou Harrison (A), Vol. 3 - In Praise of Johnny Appleseed - Music for Violin With Various Instruments - Labyrinth No. 3Giovanni Guglielmo, Guido Facchin, Tammittam Percussion Ensemble & Laura Mondiello

Listen to Harrison: A Homage to Lou Harrison, Vol. 4 by Guido Facchin, Tammittam Percussion Ensemble & Pierpaolo Turetta

ALBUMHarrison: A Homage to Lou Harrison, Vol. 4Guido Facchin, Tammittam Percussion Ensemble & Pierpaolo Turetta

Listen to Lou Harrison: Suite from the "Marriage At the Eiffel Tower" by Dennis Russell Davies & Brooklyn Philharmonic

ALBUMLou Harrison: Suite from the "Marriage At the Eiffel Tower"Dennis Russell Davies & Brooklyn Philharmonic

Listen to Rhymes With Silver by Benjamin Simon, David Abel, Julie Steinberg & William Winant

ALBUMRhymes With SilverBenjamin Simon, David Abel, Julie Steinberg & William Winant

Listen to Violin Recital by Jennifer Koh & Reiko Uchida

ALBUMViolin RecitalJennifer Koh & Reiko Uchida

Listen to Hugh Wood: Piano Concerto Op. 31 & Lou Harrison: Piano Concerto with Selected Orchestra by Joanna MacGregor, Sir Andrew Davis & BBC Symphony Orchestra

ALBUMHugh Wood: Piano Concerto Op. 31 & Lou Harrison: Piano Concerto with Selected OrchestraJoanna MacGregor, Sir Andrew Davis & BBC Symphony Orchestra

Listen to Wizards & Wildmen - Piano Music of Charles Ives, Henry Cowell and Lou Harrison by Anthony de Mare

ALBUMWizards & Wildmen - Piano Music of Charles Ives, Henry Cowell and Lou HarrisonAnthony de Mare

Listen to Lou Harrison: Suite for Violin by Michael Boriskin

ALBUMLou Harrison: Suite for ViolinMichael Boriskin

Listen to Lou Harrison - A Portrait by Barry Jekowsky & California Symphony Orchestra

ALBUMLou Harrison - A PortraitBarry Jekowsky & California Symphony Orchestra

Listen to Harrison: Rapunzel - An Opera in 6 Acts by Ensemble Paralléle & Nicole Paiement

ALBUMHarrison: Rapunzel - An Opera in 6 ActsEnsemble Paralléle & Nicole Paiement

Listen to Verederos: Music for Flute and Percussion by Verederos

ALBUMVerederos: Music for Flute and PercussionVerederos

Listen to Ung: Inner Voices / McPhee: Tabuh-Tabuhan / Harrison: Suite for Symphonic Strings by Dennis Russell Davies & American Composers Orchestra

ALBUMUng: Inner Voices / McPhee: Tabuh-Tabuhan / Harrison: Suite for Symphonic StringsDennis Russell Davies & American Composers Orchestra

Listen to Harrison: The Perilous Chapel by David Tanenbaum, John Duykers, San Francisco Contemporary Music Players & William Winant

ALBUMHarrison: The Perilous ChapelDavid Tanenbaum, John Duykers, San Francisco Contemporary Music Players & William Winant

Listen to Music by Lou Harrison by Eudice Shapiro, David Craighead, William Kraft & Los Angeles Percussion Ensemble

ALBUMMusic by Lou HarrisonEudice Shapiro, David Craighead, William Kraft & Los Angeles Percussion Ensemble

ALBUMGamelan MusicLou Harrison

Listen to Harrison: Pacifika Rondo, 4 Pieces for Harp, 2 Pieces for Psaltery & Music for Violin by Oakland Youth Orchestra & Robert Hughes

ALBUMHarrison: Pacifika Rondo, 4 Pieces for Harp, 2 Pieces for Psaltery & Music for ViolinOakland Youth Orchestra & Robert Hughes

Listen to The Music Of Lou Harrison by Robert Hughes

ALBUMThe Music Of Lou HarrisonRobert Hughes

Listen to Lou Harrison: Third Symphony/Grand Duo for Violin & Piano by Romuald Tecco, Dennis Russell Davies & Cabrillo Music Festival Orchestra

ALBUMLou Harrison: Third Symphony/Grand Duo for Violin & PianoRomuald Tecco, Dennis Russell Davies & Cabrillo Music Festival Orchestra

Listen to Harrison: Solstice/Canticle #3 by Dennis Russell Davies, Leta Miller, Nohema Fernández & William Winant

ALBUMHarrison: Solstice/Canticle #3Dennis Russell Davies, Leta Miller, Nohema Fernández & William Winant

Listen to Amadina by Zoltán Kocsis & Amadinda Percussion Group

ALBUMAmadinaZoltán Kocsis & Amadinda Percussion Group

Listen to Lou Harrison: Piano Concerto/Suite for Violin, Piano and Small Orchestra by Lucy Stoltzman, New Japan Philharmonic & Keith Jarrett

ALBUMLou Harrison: Piano Concerto/Suite for Violin, Piano and Small OrchestraLucy Stoltzman, New Japan Philharmonic & Keith Jarrett

About Lou Harrison

Hometown

Portland, OR, United States

Born

1917

Genre

Classical

Lou Harrison (1917-2003) was the quintessential California composer, blending Western music with Pacific rim cultures, Asian, and other indigenous influences; investigating alternative tuning systems; and building an Indonesian gamelan out of spare parts. Friend to John Cage and Harry Partch and student of Henry Cowell and Arnold Schoenberg, Harrison permanently settled in Northern California after an attempt to make it in New York City failed in 1947. Harrison's enormous body of work is regarded as an important whole, rather than for its few repertory "hits" such as Harrison's Canticle No. 3 (1942). Harrison's work for percussion ensemble is considered central to the literature.