Boston, MA – March 8, 2024 – Now Musique presents an evening of transcendent musical exploration and distinctive musical premieres with acclaimed guitarist Aaron Larget-Caplan in “Plastic Dream Fugue.” The concert is Friday, March 29, 2024, at 7:30 PM at the historic First Church Boston, located at 66 Marlborough Street.

Larget-Caplan will perform a solo program featuring masterpieces from the 18th and 21^st centuries, including a mash-up violin-organ-lute fugue by J.S. Bach, arranged by Larget-Caplan.

The concert will showcase music specially curated for Larget-Caplan’s award-winning New Lullaby Project by American composers Laurie Spiegel, John McDonald, Dean Rosenthal, and Ian Wiese, as well as Czech composer Štěpán Rak. The concert will include the world premieres of two New Lullaby Project compositions (n. 72 & 73) by Pasquale Tassone and Charles Turner. Lament by Mexican composer and Boston University alumnus Luis Obregon and a stellar multi-movement work by American composer and NEC alumnus Daniel Felsenfeld complete the program.

The New Lullaby Project, a cornerstone of Aaron Larget-Caplan’s artistic vision, represents a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation exploring the genre of the lullaby with over 70 compositions created for it, three albums, and two collections of scores. After all, who’s afraid of a lullaby?!

“We are delighted to present Plastic Dream Fugue, a concert that epitomizes Now Musique’s commitment to exploring the new and neglected in the world of music,” said Aaron Larget-Caplan, founder and director of Now Musique. “The composers featured are of exceptional talent and dedicated to pushing artistic boundaries and make this concert a must-see event for music lovers of all backgrounds.”

Tickets for Plastic Dream Fugue are available for $25 and can be reserved online at Eventbrite or purchased at the door. $5 discount for those in pajamas. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the lovely lyrical lulling of the guitar in the enchanting space of First Church Boston.

About Now Musique:

Founded in 2019, Now Musique is dedicated to showcasing innovative and boundary-pushing musical experiences that challenge convention and inspire audiences. Through our curated concerts and events, we seek to explore the richness of musical diversity and celebrate the artistry of both established and emerging talents in the recital format. Committed to education through experience and working to tear down the elitist stereotype of classical music, Now Musique brings music to audiences without watering it down. The 22-23 season featured 5 concerts, 4 all-ages programs, a commission from composer Daniel Felsenfeld, and over 30 living composers.

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I had the pleasure of traveling and sharing music February 28 to March 11 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and in multiple cities in Oregon.

In Oklahoma, I was hosted by Oklahoma City University faculty and good guy Matthew Denman. Over the couple of days, I gave a recital, taught some lessons, and had some pretty amazing traditional Thai food. I performed New Lullaby Project composer Jacob Mashak’s ‘Lulubye,’ and met multi-Grammy winning composer Kitt Wakeley.

The OCU students were fantastic, asking good questions and demonstrating the all important desire to improve and share music. Matt was an excellent host. Check out the Celedonio Romero Guitar Institute, for which he directs. I encourage students of all levels to take part in such a great guitar adventure. 

Kitt Wakeley, Aaron, Matt Denman

Most of my events in Oregon were hosted by Peter and Yukiko Zisa who run the 501c3 CDZ Collegium Musica. This includes co-sponsoring my performances for the Corvallis Guitar Society, George Fox University in Newberg, and at the U&I Event Center in Tigard. They were excellent hosts who connected me with violinist Mary Rowell and made sure all the events came from a place of love for music of the guitar.
Go CDZ!

At George Fox University and U&I Event Center, I was joined by violinist Mary Rowell. We performed 4 movements of John Cage’s ‘Six Melodies,’ two movements of Piazzolla’s ‘Histoire du tango,’ and ‘Revirado’ (unruly) also by Piazzolla. A special extra was having luthiers Jeffrey Elliott and Gregory Miller in attendance, and my school classmate Ross Grogan made an appearance. Super special evening!

For All Classical Radio in Portland, I performed my arrangements of Tárrega’s ‘Capricho Árabe’ with hints of Barrios, as well as a a few pieces with Mary Rowell, including couple of Cage melodies and a two Piazzolla pieces. We performed in front of a live audience and had a blast!

My final concert of the tour was in Astoria, an area I have a long history with since my mother moved there when I was 18. I have performed in the city well over 20x and it was the first place I performed on radio. For this visit I performed in a gorgeous home overlooking the river. Jenny and Ray Lund with Ann Lederer were excellent hosts, and the audience was all I could wish for. 

Check out the photo album below for more photos. IF you have photos from this tour that you’d like to share in a Gallery please email me directly. 

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I am grateful for the many people who have made this year so special. At times I felt like 2023 was a normal year of music making and collaboration, and then I would be reminded that our recent past is very much with us and that the world is very fragile. 

I consider 2023 to be Adventure in Music year, and I think we have earned a bit of rest and a special cappuccino or affogato (see below) to commemorate the beauty that can exist in the world, if we so desire it.

Onward for a wonderful, safe, and healthy 2024, and thanks to all who have listened, enjoyed, and explored music with me in 2023!

Aaron

Collaborators:

• Christopher Bush, clarinet
• Johnathan McCullough, baritone
• Frederic Jodry III, harpsichord
• Robert Lehman, violin
• Kimberly Lehman, viola
• Rebecca Hartka, cello
• Jeff Christmas, conductor with the Bowdoin Chamber Choir
• Charles Coe, poet
• Kabir Sehgal, Tiger Turn
• Alex Fedorov, design
• Steve Hunt, mixing and mastering
• Gina Genova, Will Rowe, and Simon Henry Berry, American Composers Alliance
• Gene Caprioglio, Edition Peters
• Steve Schwartz, Your Heaven Audio
• Michael Newman, Mannes School of Music
• João Luiz, Hunter College
• Tali Roth, Juilliard
• Nick Morgan, TEDx

Premieres:

• Alan Hovhaness – Mystic Flute, Op. 29, arranged by ALC, Robbins Library, Arlington, MA, February 2023 (US premiere)
• Daniel Felsenfeld – Only Winter Certainties on Bargemusic, Brooklyn, New York, April 2023 (info)
• Sam Cave – …in the soft dark welling… at the Smith Center for the Arts, Providence College, September 2023
• Nicolás Lell Benavides – Rinconcito for guitar & string trio, University of Southern Maine, December 2023 (info)

New Album & Recordings

• Spanish Candy – May 26, 2023 on Tiger Turn (888-10) (info)
• Berceuse Inquiète by Ronald Pearl, for the New Lullaby Project, live at Providence College (listen)

Album Reviews

• The Arts Fuse: God’s Time: Music of J.S. Bach on Guitar
• Take Effect: Spanish Candy
• Fanfare: Spanish Candy
• James Wegg Review of 3 albums: Spanish Candy, John. Cage. Guitar., God’s Time: Music of J.S. Bach
• The Whole Note: Spanish Candy
• Take Effect: Drifting, Vol. 3 of the New Lullaby Project
• Take Effect: honey cadence
• Take Effect: God’s Time: Music of J.S. Bach on Guitar
• Amazon Fan Review: honey cadence

Publications:

• honey cadence – a collection of six meditations by Aaron Larget-Caplan was published by the American Composers Alliance, May 2023 (info)

Publication Review:

• This is Classical Guitar: honey cadence 
• This is Classical Guitar: Bacchanale by John Cage arranged for two prepared guitars

Awards: 

• Paul Revere Award for Graphic Excellence from The Music Publishers Association of the United States presented for Aaron’s arrangement of Bacchanale by John Cage, June 2023 (info)
• Cultural Grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council for Now Musique, Feb. 2023
• Best of 2023 by The Arts Fuse: God’s Time: Music of J.S. Bach on Guitar, Dec. 2023 (info)
• Reached 6-million streams!

Videos:

• Spanish Candy intro video (watch)
• Remembering by Laurie Spiegel, written for the New Lullaby Project (watch)
• Libertango by Astor Piazzolla, arranged for sextet (watch)
• Interview with Anthony R. Green (watch) 
• Interview with Daniel Felsenfeld (watch)
• TEDx – moving still by Aaron Larget-Caplan (watch) 

Instructional Videos:

• Dream by John Cage 
• Round from Three Easy Pieces by John Cage

Interviews:

• Conducting Conversations, WCRI, Rhode Island, May 2023

Classes

• Juilliard, New York
• Hunter College, New York
• New York University Steinert School of Music
• Mannes at the New School of Music, New York

Misc.

• New press photos with photographer Paula Morin (info)
• TEDx – moving still by Aaron Larget-Caplan (watch) 

Photo L-R: Kevin Siegfried, Alan Hovhaness, Stephanie Ann Boyd, Dennis Báthory-Kitsz, Aaron Larget-Caplan,
and Keigo Fujii

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Guitar Virtuoso Aaron Larget-Caplan to Mesmerize Audiences Once Again at Bargemusic’s ‘Eclectic Series’ Performance

Photo by Tracey Yarad, April 2023

LINK FOR TICKETS HERE

BROOKLYN, NY — August 15, 2023 — Bargemusic, New York’s premier floating concert hall, is thrilled to announce the highly-anticipated return of guitarist and composer Aaron Larget-Caplan to its stage. On Friday, October 6, 2023, at 7:00 pm, Bargemusic will be transformed into a musical haven as Larget-Caplan presents his extraordinary solo program, “Dances, Dreams, and Legends.”  

Larget-Caplan promises an enchanting evening of musical diversity, showcasing a fusion of cultures, emotions, and legends through the language of the guitar. The program, “Dances, Dreams, and Legends,” will feature an eclectic repertoire that includes dances from Brazil, Spain, and the United States, contemporary lullabies composed specifically for Larget-Caplan’s groundbreaking New Lullaby Project, and a monumental solo piece inspired by the captivating 13th-century Japanese legend of Hagoromo.

Lovers of classical and contemporary guitar music will be treated to compositions by Isaac Albéniz, J.S. Bach, Antonio Jobim, and Keigo Fujii. Additionally, the evening features the New York premieres of compositions by Alan Hovhaness, Stephanie Anne Boyd, Dennis Báthory-Kitsz, Kevin Siegfried, and Larget-Caplan.

Join us for an unforgettable evening of musical artistry as Aaron Larget-Caplan returns to Bargemusic to weave a captivating tapestry of melodies, rhythms, and legends through his guitar.

Larget-Caplan will be giving classes at Hunter College (10/4) and Juilliard Pre-College (10/6). More are being added. 

*****

Photo by Tracey Yarad, April 2023

Event Details:
Date and Time: Friday, October 6, 2023, at 7:00 pm
Admission: $35

Venue:
Bargemusic
Fulton Ferry Landing
Brooklyn Bridge Blvd
Brooklyn, NY 11201

For ticket information and reservations, please visit: https://www.bargemusic.org/concert/eclectic-series-dances-dreams-and-legends-antonio-jobim-kevin-seigfried-dennis-bathory-kitsz-stephanie-ann-boyd-isaac-albeniz-aaron-larget-caplan-alan-hovhaness-j-s-bach-keigo-fujii-aar/ 

FB Event: HERE

About Aaron Larget-Caplan:

Aaron Larget-Caplan is an internationally acclaimed guitarist and composer known for his virtuosity and passion for expanding the boundaries of classical guitar music. His ten albums have earned over 5-million streams since 2021, and he has received numerous awards and accolades for his groundbreaking projects and performances, making him a prominent figure in the contemporary and classical music scene.

About Bargemusic:

Bargemusic, moored at the scenic Fulton Ferry Landing under the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, is a unique floating concert venue offering exceptional performances and breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline. Renowned for its commitment to bringing world-class music to the heart of New York City.

Photo by Tracey Yarad, April 2023

LARGET-CAPLAN’S JOHN CAGE ARRANGEMENT WINS NATIONAL AWARD

The Music Publishers Association of the United States presented a Paul Revere Award for Graphic Excellence in June to Aaron Larget-Caplan for his arrangement of Bacchanale by John Cage, for two prepared guitars published by Edition Peters. The Bacchanale publication was issued in the fall of 2022 and won second prize in Music for Fretted Instruments category.

It is the third in a series of John Cage arrangements for guitar done by Larget-Caplan. The first ‘Six Melodies’ for violin and guitar from 2015 were followed by a collection of seven solos by Cage titled ‘Piano Music for Guitar’ in 2017. They are the first arrangements to receive permission from the Cage estate for publication, and have been widely acclaimed for their inventiveness, quality, and playability.

Larget-Caplan recorded all these compositions on his extensively praised album, ‘John. Cage. Guitar.’ It was issued by Stone Records (UK) in 2018. Classical Guitar Magazine said, “Aaron Larget-Caplan is fast becoming perhaps the greatest guitar advocate for the music of John Cage.”

Originally a solo work for prepared piano written in 1948 for dancer and choreographer Syvilla Fort, Bacchanale requires the performer to “prepare” the piano. Fort asked Cage for a work for percussion ensemble, but there was not enough room on stage, so Cage experimented by putting items in the piano itself like screws, bolts, washers and insulation. Bacchanale is the first of his works to do such preparations, and he would go to win a Guggenheim Fellowship and an Award from the National Academy of Arts and Letters for his invention of the prepared piano.

Established in 1964 in honor of the 200th anniversary of the first music engraving in America by the famous silversmith Paul Revere, Paul Revere Awards for Graphic Excellence were initially given as a means of alerting the music industry to the advantages of providing the best possible publication from the viewpoint of engraving, graphic arts and production standards. Today the awards still recognize outstanding examples of graphic design, with an emphasis on usability for orchestras, educators, libraries and individuals.

This is the second publication of Larget-Caplan’s to have received Paul Revere Awards for Graphic Excellence from the MPA. In 2021, Larget-Caplan’s Nights Transfigured, Volume 1 of the New Lullaby Project Anthology published in partnership with the American Composers Alliance won multiple awards: 1^st prize for Guitar Music Notesetting, and 2^nd prize for Book Design and Cover Design.

*See blog post on Nights Transfigured award

Award Information (click)

MUSIC FOR FRETTED INSTRUMENTS
1st Prize: Two Sides (Pierre Jalbert) Schott Music Corporation
Notesetter: Philip Rothman
Production Coordinator: Scott Wollschleger

2nd Prize: Bacchanale (John Cage, Arr. Aaron Larget-Caplan) Edition Peters USA
Notesetter: Aaron Larget-Caplan
Book Design: Héctor Colón
Production Coordinator: Owen Summers

PURCHASE THE SCORE:

Bandcamp (autographed by Larget-Caplan) • Alfred Music

QUOTES:

“John. Cage. Guitar. is an excellent introduction to those who want to approach [Cage] for the first time. Highly recommended.” ~ NeuGuitars (Italy)

“John. Cage. Guitar., quite properly, knows no fear in its blend of delicacy, complexity and amiable simplicity.” ~ Music Web International

AUDIO LINKS:

Stone Records • Spotify • Amazon • Apple

VIDEO:

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:

• Francine Trester – solos, viola-guitar duo, songs
• John McDonald – solos, chamber works
• Brian Schober – solo
• Tom Flaherty – cello-guitar duo, guitar + electronics
• Thomas L. Read – solos, string qrt-guitar, cello-guitar

Will be playing:

• Richard Cameron-Wolfe – Heretic – micro-opera (2024)
• John Anthony Lennon* 
• Darleen Mitchell*
• David Liptak*

I look forward to continued collaborations and more musical creations.

*To be rescheduled from 2020

Bargemusic Eclectic Series:
“Look Bach, Listening Forward”/ Aaron Larget-Caplan
April 15, 2023

Look Bach, Listening Forward
Aaron Larget-Caplan, guitar

PROGRAM

sweet nuance (2022)                                                                        Aaron Larget-Caplan (b. 1978)

Prelude in C Major, BWV 846*                                                                   J.S. Bach (1685-1750)

Carnatic Prelude N. 1, After J.S. Bach* (2017)                                        Vineet Shende (b. 1972)

Two New Lullaby Project Solos

1. Remembering* (2021)                                                                   Laurie Spiegel (b. 1945)
2. Counting Backwards* (2020)                                                  Anthony R. Green (b. 1984)

moving still (2021)                                                                                                    Larget-Caplan

Chromatic Fantasy in D Minor, BWV 903*                                                                             Bach

In A Landscape* (1948)                                                                              John Cage (1912-1982)

Only Winter Certainties (2023)         World Premiere                         Daniel Felsenfeld (b. 1970)

1. America Gone Plastic
2. Night Becomes Everything
3. Just a Song at Twilight
4. Hours Pass, Darkness Comes
5. It Wasn’t Me

Mantilla de Feria                                                                         Esteban de Sanlúcar (1910-1989)

Sevilla*                                                                                                   Isaac Albéniz (1860-1909)

*Written for or arranged by Aaron Larget-Caplan
**All NYC Premieres except Sanlúcar

PR, Videos and Interview: https://alcguitar.com/bargemusic415/

BARGEMUSIC Info

Photos from the Bargemusic Concert with composers and friends

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On April 2nd I met with composer Anthony Green over zoom to speak about his solo Counting Backwards.

Written for my New Lullaby Project in 2020, it is featured on the album Drifting (Spotify).

I’m performing Counting Backwards in NYC on April 15 on the Eclectic Series of Bargemusic.

Anthony is an exquisite composer so I hope you’ll take the time to listen to the interview (~9min.) and dive deeper into his music. 

Anthony’s website

Score (pdf/paper) published by American Composers Alliance – HERE

In August of this year, I kicked off a series of five concert for Now Musique: two concerts in August followed by one each month through November. Begun in 2019, Now Musique focuses on programming new and neglected music in settings in and out of the concert hall.

Thanks to a grant from the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture in June 2022, I was able to program these five concerts and multiple children’s events in the Boston neighborhood of Dorchester.

Four of the five programs showcased new music from the New Lullaby Project, works for electronics and guitar, solos from Spain, my Bach arrangements, and solos from honey cadence. One concert featured chamber music for harpsichord and guitar with the wonderful Frederick Jodry.

The “formal” concerts were held at 5:30pm on Thursdays at the Upham’s Corner Branch of the Boston Public Library, were free for the public to attend, and included a Milk & Cookie reception.

I will be posting video and audio in the near future.

Let me know your thoughts and leave a comment below.

Aaron

PHOTO GALLERY:

Composers:
Lynn Job, Stanley Hoffman, John McDonald, Frank Warren, Charles Turner,, Ronald Pearl, Tom Nazziola, John Johnstone, Brian Schober, Scott Wheeler, Dean Rosenthal, Lainie Fefferman, Tom Flaherty, Ian Wiese, Gregory Biss, Stefanie Lubkowski, Dennis Bathory-Kitsz, Laurie Spiegel, Anthony R. Green, Jim Dalton, Michael Veloso, Curtis Hughes, Francine Trester, Vineet Shende, Larget-Caplan, J.S. Bach, Luigi Boccherini, Domenico Scarlatti, Esteban Sanlucar, and Pascual Marquina

Positives:

• Neighborhood Cultural Events – Rare to have classical music events in the neighborhood.
• 25 living composers featured with many in attendance!
• Families in attendance – the earlier time and relaxed vibe invited families to attend.
• Milk & Cookies – quite the success!
• Press – Feature in the Dorchester Reporter

Become a supporter of Now Musique by giving a tax deductible donation via Fractured Atlas

Responses From Attendees:

What a pleasure it was to attend the “Now Musique” concerts at the Upham’s Corner BPL! Aaron’s varied selection of contemporary guitar pieces is an inspired concept for a library, introducing music that entrances and intrigues, while also respecting the equilibrium of the space. – Doria Hughes

This year, I had enormous pleasure attending 3 sequels of Aaron Larget-Caplan’s “Now Musique” concert series presented in the Upham’s Corner Branch of the Boston Public Library. I found these short concerts entertaining, full of musical energy, perfectly covering large spectrum of guitar music. Aaron’s introduction to presented pieces included well balanced description of music as well as snippets of music creation stories coming directly from contemporary and frequently local composers.  It was a treasure chest of fun and social interaction.
– Marek Kloczewiak

It was wonderful to have live music in the branch every month from August through November. Aaron was lovely and easy to work with. The music was fresh and interesting and the composer component was something completely unexpected, a real draw for the audience. – Georgia Titonis, Branch Librarian, Uphams Corner Branch library

I had the privilege of attending Aaron’s recent concert at the Uphams Corner Library during which he performed my “Winter Lullaby”. It was a wonderful experience to hear Aaron’s exceptional and sensitive performance of this piece as well as the others on the program, speak with audience members and meet the other composers. The ambiance and reception of those in attendance were memorable.  – Brian Schober, composer

Negatives:

• Traffic – Though aimed for people in the neighborhood, those coming into Boston during rush hour were presented quite the challenge. Greatly appreciated!
• Public Transportation – close to a commuter rail and ample bus lines, but Boston is not consistent so people were hesitant to depend on it.
• Publicity – How to reach potential audiences when attention is spread over multiple digital platforms, major newspaper are cutting back, and postering has a limited scope?
• Concert reviews – none 😢

For Next Time:

• Spread out the concerts over 8-10 months
• Include more performers
• Invite local schools to be involved
• Bring in local businesses
• Add venues in various parts of Boston and beyond

Concert Posters:

Become a supporter of Now Musique by giving a tax deductible donation via Fractured Atlas

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