This Wednesday on The Big Note (Episode #135 ye gads) I play some great music from home and abroad and we briefly delve into the interesting compositions of Harry Partch & Conlon Nancarrow and why they can seem different to “Western” ears.

Playlist:

 Won't Sing About It - Johnny Batchelor [27-04-26] Laneway Music
Canyon - Charm of Finches from “Wonderful Oblivion” [22-10-21] AntiFragile Records
Conspiracy of Ravens - Azimuth James from “Alluvial Shores” [20-02-26]
Salaam Mousson Salaam Afrique - Yumi Matsutoya from “No Side” [1984]
PSI PHI - PSI PHI from PSI PHI [06-03-26]
Wayfaring Stranger - Cam Eric from “This World Below” [14-10-25]
M*rning Brew - sckdrwr [26-04-26]
Harry Partch – Two Studies on Ancient Greek Scales.1968 [excerpt] - Harry Partch from “The Alien Territory Archives: A Collection of  Radical, Experimental, & Irrelevant Music from 1970s San Diego” [2025]
Utzp [excerpt] - Angine de Poitrine from ““Angine de Poitrine Vol. II” [2026]
Three Canons for Ursula: I. Canon A (5:7) - Conlon Nancarrow from “Nancarrow: Late and Unknown. Works on Rolls” [2012]
Two Studies on Ancient Greek Scales: 1) Olympos' Pentatonic 2) Archytas' Enharmonic - played by Kronos Quartet from Early Music [1997]
Rainbow Fire - Gillson [13-04-26]
Day Drinking - Ukulele Death Squad [23-04-26] Community Music
Melting - King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard from “Flying Microtonal Banana” [2017]
I Am an Island - Richard Clapton from “The Great Escape” [1982]

Episode Image: Conlon Nancarrow punching holes for a Player Piano composition. 📸 - Phillip Makanna courtesy of Eva Soltes