What instruments did Harry Partch use to record Inanna?

Harry Partch built his own custom instruments specifically designed to play microtonal scales that Western music had largely abandoned. These instruments allowed him to explore tuning systems outside the standard 12-tone equal temperament used in most Western music.

What is the Inanna myth about?

Inanna is a Sumerian goddess myth that tells the story of the goddess Inanna's descent into the underworld. Partch's recording brings this ancient Mesopotamian mythology to life through his experimental microtonal composition and performance.

Why did Harry Partch record Inanna alone?

By recording Inanna as a solo performance, Harry Partch maintained complete artistic control over the interpretation and presentation of both the Sumerian goddess narrative and his unique microtonal musical system, creating a unified artistic vision without compromise.

Liner Note · April 4, 2026

Inanna

Harry Partch · 1952 Spin it Again - Harry Partch built his own instruments just to make sounds Western tuning wouldn't allow, and this is the record where that stubbornness finally had somewhere to go.

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