Oedipus

Already in 1933, Partch showed interest in composing a dramatic setting of Oedipus. He finished a first version on 31 July 1951 and the work was premiered in March of the following year. For this second version, Partch added more instruments and changed the role of the “Spokesman”. In the third and final version of 1967 Partch changed the instrumentation again slightly - especially his Gourd Tree and Cone Gongs were added.