Harry Bulow, composer, conductor, saxophonist

Harry Bulow received his B.A. with distinction in music from San Diego State University (1975), and his M.A. and Ph.D. in music theory and composition from UCLA (1978, 1983). Bulow also holds a Performer’s Diploma in Saxophone Performance from Trinity College of Music, London, England. His principal composition teachers include Aaron Copland, Henri Lazarof, Roy Travis, and David Ward-Steinman. His works have received numerous awards including 1st Prize at the International Composers Competition in Trieste, Italy, the “Oscar Espla” Prize, from the city of Alicante, Spain, a National Endowment for the Arts Composer Fellowship and 35 ASCAP Plus awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. He is Professor of Music at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN.

Compositions

Primary Structures

0:00

Primary Structures was completed in 2019. The title gives reference to a young group of American and British sculptors active in the mid-1960s. In 1966, a number of them were exhibited at the Jewish Museum in New York City. Their work was characterized by simplified geometric shapes with smooth colorful industrial surfaces. It was one of first exhibitions devoted to Minimal Art. While the work demonstrates minimal characteristics, its quality is largely eclectic. It is symphonic in nature and consists of three basic sections. Two outer allegros focus upon simple melodic (geometric) figures and a changing field of harmonic movement that drives the piece forward. The slower inner section is more contemplative and coloristic in design. Primary Structures is an eclectic work that attempts to capture the simplicity, energy and coloristic perspectives of those in the visual arts movement by the same title.