Arthur Farwell - Listen, then Judge

The notes on the page don't change. But our perception and reception of them can over time. This is why the release names Arthur Farwell "America's Neglected Composer."

Farwell was passionate about developing an authentic American school of classical music. And he believed native American music to be an important part of that school. Farwell was a major proponent of the Indianist movement.

"Indianist" composers incorporated native American tunes into their compositions. The results were mixed. Many composers only wrote a few Indianist pieces. The movement fizzled out shortly after the First World War.

Most of the composers who dabbled in the Indianist style had no direct contact with Native American culture. They started with the cliches that became music cues for countless movie westerns.

At the time, using Native American music was considered a novelty. Today, it's considered cultural appropriation. Which makes Farwell's case problematic. The dictionary defines cultural appropriation as: "adopting elements of a minority group in an exploitative, disprespectful, or stereotypical way."

To me, Farwell's music doesn't fit that definition. Farwell visited and hunted with Native Americans in Michigan. He collected Native American songs and chants in the Southwest. He knew and understood first-hand the cultural significance of the music he was using.

Farwell's goal wasn't to create authentic transcriptions, though. Rather, it was to use the music in his own creative work. For Farwell, it was like Dvorak using Czech folk music in his compositions.

This release provides a good introduction to Farwell's Indianist works. And lets the listener make their own judgment on their merits.

One of the largest works on the album is the string quartet "The Hako." it seamlessly blends the Native American elements with Farwell's Romantic style.

Farwell's vocal works also use Native American singing techniques. And they combine and transform the traditional forms Farwell uses.  To my ears, these works have a contemporary edge, almost Bartokian in dissonance.

Is Farwell guilty of a concept that arouse seventy years after his death? I don't think so. That's not what I heard in this music. My recommendation -- listen first, then decide. But do listen.

Arthur Farwell: America's Neglected Composer
Songs, choral, and piano works
William Sharp, baritone; Emanuele Arciuli, piano
Dakota String Quartet
Naxos