Books by Leta E. Miller

Music's inclusivity - its potential to unite cultures, disciplines, and individuals - defined the life and career of Lou Harrison (1917-2003). Beyond studying with leading composers of the avant-garde such as Henry Cowell and Arnold Schoenberg, Harrison has achieved fame for his distinctive blending of cultures. This title gives his portrait.

This lively history immerses the reader in San Francisco's musical life during the first half of the twentieth century, showing how a fractious community overcame virulent partisanship to establish cultural monuments such as the San Francisco Symphony (1911) and Opera (1923). Leta E. Miller draws on primary source material and first-hand knowledge of the music to argue that a utopian vision counterbalanced partisan interests and inspired cultural endeavors, including the San Francisco Conservatory, two world fairs, and America's first municipally owned opera house. Miller demonstrates that rampant racism, initially directed against Chinese laborers (and their music), reappeared during the 1930s in the guise of labor unrest as WPA music activities exploded in vicious battles between administrators and artists, and African American and white jazz musicians competed for jobs in nightclubs.

Presents a portrait of an exceptionally beloved pioneer in American music - Lou Harrison. This title features works catalog reflecting compositions completed after 1997 and adds a brief description of the circumstances of Harrison's death. It includes an annotated works-list detailing more than 300 compositions.