McPhee, Colin

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McPhee, Colin (b Montreal, 1900; d Los Angeles, 1964). Canadian-born Amer. composer and pianist. Lived in NY 1926–34, then in Bali 1934–6, studying native mus. and using its procedures in his Tabuh-Tabuhan, for 2 pf., and orch. (1936). Taught at Univ. of Calif. 1960–4. Other works incl. pf. conc. (1923); Balinese Ceremonial Music; 3 syms.; and conc. for wind orch. Arr. Britten's Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge for 2 pf., 1942, and interested Britten in gamelan.