Honored to have the score collection of ‘honey cadence’ featured on the awesome classical guitar resource This Is Classical Guitar!
–> https://www.thisisclassicalguitar.com/honey-cadence-aaron-larget-caplan/
There is a very nice write up and a lovely video of the title track by Bradford Werner too!
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TY American Composers Alliance for a beautiful publication!Boston, MA — Celebrated guitarist and composer Aaron Larget-Caplan announces the inaugural collection of compositions, “honey cadence,” published by the New York publisher American Composers Alliance (ACA). This groundbreaking collection of six captivating meditative guitar solos showcases Larget-Caplan’s exceptional musicality and introduces audiences to a new side of the celebrated performer.
The compositions featured on “honey cadence” were meticulously crafted by Larget-Caplan during the latter part of 2021 and early 2022. Each piece reflects his profound connection to the guitar as a medium for expressing emotions and evoking introspective journeys. The album’s meditative nature is designed to envelop listeners in a
tranquil and contemplative sonic landscape, offering moments of serenity in an increasingly fast-paced world.
Released as an EP in 2022, “honey cadence” has since garnered extraordinary acclaim, amassing over 3-million streams since its debut on the label Tiger Turn, a testament to Larget-Caplan’s ability to resonate with a wide range of listeners. Produced by multi-Grammy winner Kabir Sehgal, the album exemplifies a harmonious collaboration between two brilliant minds in the world of music.
Commenting on the creative process behind “honey cadence,” Larget-Caplan expressed, “I started sketching melodies and gestures that were floating in my head with the intent of creating an album of meditative intimacy, which though on the quiet side, would be able to keep one’s attention. Improvisations highlighting my preferred qualities of the guitar: tone and timbre variation, note doubling, harmonics, pitch bends, and percussion gave me the confidence and freedom to explore. Each of the six titles has a connection to music, as well as general language, i.e., ‘anticipation’ is a musical ornament and linguistically expresses expectation or prediction.”
Physical scores or PDFs of the 32-page publication are available. They include notes and instructions about each of the compositions, as well as inspiring quotes by composer John Cage, Toru Takemitsu, and Larget-Caplan.
As a respected figure in the world of classical and contemporary guitar, Aaron Larget-Caplan has continuously pushed the boundaries of his craft, garnering recognition for his innovative approach to both performance and composition. “honey cadence” stands as a testament to his artistic evolution and serves as a testament to his dedication to enriching the world of music.
For further information and to explore the mesmerizing sounds of “honey cadence,” please follow Aaron Larget-Caplan on social media platforms.
*****
ACA (PDF & physical) • Score Collection: Bandcamp (autographed and includes free download of album)
About Aaron Larget-Caplan:
Aaron Larget-Caplan is an acclaimed guitarist, composer, and educator known for his pioneering approach to classical and contemporary guitar music. With a career spanning decades, Larget-Caplan has established himself as a dynamic and innovative artist, captivating audiences with his emotive performances and groundbreaking compositions. His work has been recognized globally, earning him a reputation as a trailblazer in the world of music.
Socials: fb/ig/x: @alcguitar, yt/tt: @aaronlcguitar
About American Composers Alliance:
The American Composers Alliance (ACA) is a renowned organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of American contemporary classical music. Founded in 1937 by such luminaries as Aaron Copland, ACA has played a pivotal role in nurturing the work of composers across generations, fostering a vibrant community of creators and performers who shape the landscape of modern composition.
I am very proud to announce that I am now affiliated as a composer with the American
Composers Alliance (ACA):
https://www.composers.com/composers/aaron-larget-caplan
My first collection of compositions, honey cadence, are officially published today and available worldwide!
Purchase the physical score through the ACA or on my Bandcamp page HERE. PDFs of the scores area also available HERE.
Based in NYC, the ACA is a nonprofit composer service organization dedicated to the publishing and promoting of American contemporary classical music through concerts, grants, collaborations, and recordings.
Founded in 1937 by Aaron Copland, I am humbled to join this historic organization with its powerful and inclusive vision, and to be affiliated with such a truly fantastic group of composers, a few of whom I am honored to have forged friendships with through music. Learn more about the ACA.
I was introduced to the organization in 2015 by Thomas L. Read. I have since had the pleasure of working as a performer, grant recipient, and curator with their fearless director Gina Genova.
In 2020 and 2021 the ACA co-published two volumes of scores by 30 composers from my New Lullaby Project in the anthologies: Nights Transfigured and Hushed. The first winning multiple Revere Publishing Awards.
The first collection of my own compositions: honey cadence – six meditations for guitar solo are available today! Gratitude to Simon Berry for his excellent work and patience in bringing this publication to life.
The collection, recorded on the honey cadence album has earned over 3-million streams since its release by Tiger Turn in April 2022.
Amazon Music • Spotify • Apple Music
A few of the ACA composers I have performed:
Will be playing:
I look forward to continued collaborations and more musical creations.
*To be rescheduled from 2020
I know it’s arbitrary, but I would prefer our calendars marked the New Year in the spring, at least in to the Northern Hemisphere. That said, when I awoke on January 1, 2022 I did not know what to expect.
My album ‘A Guitar Holiday’ was reaching people via streaming in ways I had never experienced (1-million streams to date!)
I was deep into composing what would become ‘honey cadence.’
A few concerts were on the calendar, but it did not feel like Covid had released us from its terrible grasp.
Coupled with the terror of Jan. 6, I knew I needed to focus on Art and appreciate each moment of living and creating.
I began the process of getting back to performing with classes and a concert at Framingham State University 
before embarking on my first tour since Covid: California!
APRIL TOUR: San Francisco State University –>Museum of Northern California Art, Chico–> Center For New Music, SF –> CSU Bakersfield –> Cal Poly Pomona –> Guitar Solo International (VIDEOS). SEE California Tour Pictures
While on the tour in California, I received news that I had been awarded a grant from the Boston Mayor’s Office for Arts & Culture to produce a series of 5 contemporary music concerts being held in my neighborhood between August and November under my series Now Musique.
Each concert brought composers to Dorchester for performances of their new lullabies and works for guitar + electronics. Read and see pictures HERE.
Upon returning to Boston, honey cadence, the first album dedicated to my own music was released. Mixed and mastered by the great Steve Hunt, I was not expecting much, as who knew if my music would touch people. Needless to say, I was happily surprised to go quickly through the first printing of CDs, and then see it was picked up on a few streaming playlists and it now has 1 million streams since its release in April!
It is my most popular album, which is a bit surreal. And no, my Mom does not do streaming.
My June concerts in Oregon began with an interview and performance on Thursdays @ Three with Christa Wessel for All Classical Portland before performing two solo programs in Portland for CDZ Musica and another at the wonderful Coaster Theatre Playhouse.
Seeing friends and walking on the beach felt like returning home.
In June I recorded God’s Time: Music of J.S. Bach on Guitar, which was released in September. Featuring 16 of my own arrangements, it was recorded over 3 days and mixed and mastered by the wonderful Paul Averginos. The reviews have been stellar and I’m extremely proud of the album.
I set out to create a Bach album that was not like every other Bach Guitar album.
Mine would explore pieces not often played on the guitar, create new repertoire (a bit of a habit of mine), and bring a fresh voice to a couple of well known works, and I think I did that.
The responses to God’s Time have been overwhelmingly positive.
With over 300K streams since its release, I can’t wait to do another! Read and watch HERE.
One of the great difficulties of Covid was not being able to collaborate with wonderful musicians. Thankfully I had three performances with harpsichordist Frederick Jodry in Boston, Cape Cod, and Newport. Pianist John Thomas improvised over my own compositions in Provincetown – a first, and I joined Convergence Ensemble in November for three duos, two solos, and two quartets in an exhilarating concert titled Strings Galore. Libby Larsen’s Cajun Set was extra special!
I returned to Southern California in November for a series of classes and concerts. Being amongst friends and musicians for more than a day or two was inspiring extremely inspiring. I worked with students of guitarist-artist Peter Yates at UCLA, collaborated with Tom Flaherty and Buzz Gravelle at Pomona College, performed in La Jolla and Carlsbad, and ate amazing tacos!
Even while touring, I kept up with my students. In August we held our first student recital since Covid with players ranging in age of 14-62, and were gifted a wonderful Fernando Sor song with soprano Jessica Cooper.
At the end of November I kicked off my new blog series Music I Am, featuring brief interviews with inspiring and smart musicians and artists about their latest projects, inspirations, and habits. Check it out HERE.
Wishing all of you a happy and healthy year ahead. May 2023 be a year of wonderful music, exciting adventures, and Dreams Realized.
Musically,
Aaron
* Now Musique Composers TL: John McDonald, Stanley Hoffman, Charles Turner, Aaron Larget-Caplan TR: Larget-Caplan, Ronald Pearl, Brian Schober, Scott Wheeler BL: Tom Flaherty, Larget-Caplan, Stefanie Lubkowski, Ian Wiese, Dennis Bathory-Kitsz BR: Anthony Green, Francine Trester, Jim Dalton, Michael Veloso, Larget-Caplan, Curtis Hughes
Below are two Composer Portrait articles I wrote for the May 2022 Bulletin of the American Composers Alliance (ACA). The first is on Thomas L. Read and the second on Tom Flaherty. The ACA published the two award winning New Lullaby Project anthology volumes Nights Transfigured and Hushed. (Audio links at the bottom)
honey cadence tracks:
Tone and variation of timbre are some of my favorite aspects of the guitar.
With melodies floating in my head, I aimed to highlight these unique traits,
while creating meditative intimacy.
Composed in December and January, the six pensive solos of honey cadence are
my first compositions to be recorded.
Some pieces began as improvisations and others were born out of a particular gestural idea.
Each title has a connection to music as well as general language,
i.e., ‘anticipation’ musical ornament and linguistically expresses expectation or prediction.
After the success of A Guitar Holiday,
I trusted Grammy winning producer Kabir Sehgal as a partner in the project.
I am grateful for the amazing mixing and mastering of Steve Hunt.
hidden anticipation sketch
Thanks to Alex Fedorov for realizing my cover art vision and
transforming my Fanton D’Andon guitar photo.
May the album add some sweetness to your life.
Musically,
Aaron
*Physical CDs can only be purchased through Bandcamp
It is very cool to be featured alongside so many amazing musicians and classical guitar players!
On April 1st, ‘sweet nuance’ the first single from my first album dedicated to my own compositions will be released on Tiger Turn! This is a new artistic direction that has been extremely rewarding.
The album, ‘honey cadence’ is an EP of six works. Click the link below to reserve ‘sweet nuance’. I wrote ‘sweet nuance’ in early January 2022. Born from an improvisation, a melody floats over a repeated harmonic figure (ostinato). Once it clicked I wrote out the music in about 20min. I sought to capture a moment of stillness that is both intimate and timeless.
This is the first piece from my debut album as a composer. It felt special as soon as I started it, so it is very close to my heart. Having only focused on performing and a little improvisation, composing this album in just a couple of weeks felt almost like magic.
