Arthur Farwell has been called ‘the most neglected composer in [American musical] history.’ Hounded by accusations of ‘cultural appropriation,’ he has posthumously fallen prey to changing notions of cultural authenticity. As the leader of the ‘Indianists’ movement, Farwell believed it was a democratic obligation of Americans of European descent to try to understand the indigenous Americans they displaced and oppressed. To this end, he merged Indian music and lore with Western concert forms – today, a controversial practice. The performances here recorded originated at a landmark PostClassical Ensemble festival at Washington’s National Cathedral.

Farwell has been caught in the web of changing political mores, judged by contemporary obsessions regarding ‘cultural appropriation’. Farwell’s 1922 String Quartet, op.65 ‘The Hako’ is heard here in its world-premiere recording.