The Wayword
In 1935 Partch received a grant-in-aid from the Carnegie Corporation of New York let Partch travel to the British Museum, Dublin, Italy, and Malta in 1935. Upon his return, however he discovered a jobless America, and found himself taking dishwashing jobs and such. Partch's personal "Great Depression" lasted until 1943, and in that time he often found himself in the company of hobos, and experience which was to profoundly influence one his works from the early forties. "The Wayword" This was made possible by a grant from the Guggenheim Fellowship grant in 1943. The Wayword
Scored for Intoning voice, Adapted Guitar 1, Kithara, Chromelodeon, and Adapted Viola.
The Sections are:
"Barstow-Eight Hitchiker Inscriptions from a Highway Railing at Barstow, California"
"U.S. Highball- A Musical Account of a Transcontinental Hobo Trip"
"San Francisco- A Setting of the Cries of Two Newsboys on a Foggy Night in the 'Twenties"
"The Letter- A Depression Message from a Hobo Friend"