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

1 2 ►

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

 

After being asked what repertoire I was performing this fall, it became apparent that I needed to make a list. Some of these works are being repeated on multiple concerts, others presented by Now Musique series, many New Lullaby Project solos, and others are part of a tour in Southern California in November. I know there will be more, and I left off few encores and pieces I have’t quite committed to, but I’ll try to update. Many of the pieces are recorded or on youtube.

Did I forget anyone? If there is something you’d like to hear, leave a comment.

Repertoire Fall 2022

Roland Dyens – Tango en Skaï (1992)
Larget-Caplan – moving still (2021)
J.S. Bach – Prelude in C-major, WTC Bk 1 N. 1, BWV 846
Bach – A Small Prelude and Little Fugue BWV 926 & 961
Bach – God’s Time Is The Very Best Time, BWV 106
Tom Nazziola – Lull-a-by-the-sea (2021)
Dean Rosenthal – Sewing Piece (2021)
John Cage ­– In A Landscape* (1948)
Keigo Fujii – Legend of Hagoromo (1992)
John Johnstone – Blue Lullaby (2015)
Bach – Two small Preludes, BWV 924 & 930
Larget-Caplan – minding play (2022)
Ronald Pearl – Berceuse Inquiète (2021)
Brian Schober – Winter Lullaby (2021)
Scott Wheeler – Nachtlied (2009)
Lainie Fefferman – Carousel (2020)
Tom Flaherty – Steps & Leaps (2019)
Ian Wiese – Midnight Train (2021)
Gregory Biss – Lullaby (after Schumann) (2015)
Stefanie Lubkowski – Drifting (2018)
Dennis Bathory-Kitsz – Lullaby For Justin* (2022)
Larget-Caplan – TBA
Laurie Spiegel – Remembering (2020)
Anthony Green – Counting Backwards (2020)
Jim Dalton – World of Your Own (2012)
Michael Veloso – Little Dancer (2010)
Cutis Hughes – Lullibule (2020)
Francine Trester – Assortment!
Gershwin/Takemitsu – Summertime
Arlen/Takemitsu – Over the Rainbow
Larget-Caplan – sweet nuance (2022)
Bach – Chromatic Fantasy, BWV 903
Cage – Bacchanale (prepared guitar duo)
Vineet Shende – Carnatic Preludes, After J.S. Bach (2017, 2019)
Libby Larsen – Cajun Set (Quartet)
Thomas L. Read – Concert Champêtre (cello-guitar) (2013)
Antonio Celso Ribeiro – 3 Vintage Portraits (viola-guitar) (2018)
John Cage – Six Melodies (violin-guitar)
Ian Wiese – Seeketh Not His Own (2017)

*world premiere

The return of  Now Musique is official!

Composers John McDonald, Stanley Hoffman, Charles Turner

Composer Stanley Hoffman with lullaby inspiration Naomi

GUITARIST PRESENTS “NIGHT SONGS AND DANCES,”
THE FIRST OF FIVE FAMILY-FRIENDLY CONCERTS IN DORCHESTER

BOSTON (Dorchester), MA―International guitarist and Dorchester resident Aaron Larget-Caplan is presenting the first of five family-friendly concerts in the Dorchester neighborhood of Upham’s Corner on Thursday, August 11th at 5:30 PM. These free musical events are hosted by Now Musique and take place at the Upham’s Corner Branch of the Boston Public Library (500 Columbia Rd in Dorchester), with the exception of the second concert. A free 30 minute preview performance will be on Monday, August 8th at 11:15am as part of the Upham’s Corner Library Storytime. Now Musique is a project curated by Larget-Caplan that shares new and unknown music in settings outside of the traditional concert hall with a multitude of communities. This family-friendly series of concerts is funded by a 2022 grant from the City of Boston’s Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture. Each performance is 50-60 minutes in length and curated so audiences of all ages can enjoy and engage with the performer(s) and a number of  living composers who have written the contemporary pieces on the programs.

“Night Songs and Dances” is the first concert of the series and features Spanish dances, six works by Lynn Job, Stanley Hoffman, John McDonald, Frank Warren, Charles Turner―all written for Larget-Caplan’s critically acclaimed New Lullaby Project, and a few pieces written by Larget-Caplan for his latest album honey cadence.

The New Lullaby Project began in 2007 in an effort by Aaron Larget-Caplan to bridge the chasm between audiences and new music, and started with him asking “Who’s afraid of a lullaby?!” These solo guitar works explore the genre of the lullaby. They tell stories of hope, fear, peace, rebirth, and even Adam & Eve’s first lullaby. They are composed using a variety of musical languages including tonal, minimalist, 12-tone, and microtones. Many incorporate a number of extended techniques. As the New Lullaby Project has grown, Larget-Caplan has found that the 65+ participating composers have succeeded in creating intimate miniatures that are not only challenging and beautiful, but fascinate and truly engage audiences by what they hear and experience.

honey cadence is Aaron Larget-Caplan’s most recent recording project with  six new pieces by the guitarist and represents his first true foray into the world of composition beyond his work as a noted arranger. The EP was released by Tiger Turn in April 2022 and has since garnered over 400K streams worldwide over all the major platforms.

Audiences of all ages are encouraged to attend any or all of the five concerts. It should be noted that those who come to the “Night Songs and Dances” performance wearing their pajamas (PG rated) will receive a New Lullaby Project sticker. And yes, teddy bears are welcome.

The second of the Now Musique series is titled “Frets & Plectrums – Music of Bach and Beyond” and takes place on Saturday, August 20th at 7:00 PM. The notable Frederick Jodry will join Aaron Larget-Caplan to perform solos and duos for harpsichord and guitar by J.S. Bach, Luigi Boccherini, Domenico Scarlatti, and Larget-Caplan. It is important to note this concert will be presented at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church (14 Cushing Ave) and is the only concert of the series not held at the Upham’s Corner Branch of the Boston Public Library.

Questions on attending the concerts?

Upham’s Corner Branch of the Boston Public Library, Georgia Titonis, Librarian:  (617) 265-0139

More Information on the concert series and Aaron Larget-Caplan can be found at:

Now Musique:                       NowMusique.com
Aaron Larget-Caplan:      ALCGuitar.com
New Lullaby Project:        NewLullabyProject.com

ALL FIVE NOW MUSIQUE CONCERTS:

CONCERT 1: “Night Songs and Dances”
Thursday, August 11 • 5:30pm • Concert • Upham’s Corner Branch of the Boston Public Library
Music by Lynn Job, Stanley Hoffman, John McDonald, Frank Warren, Charles Turner, Larget-Caplan and Spanish Composers.

CONCERT 2: “Frets & Plectrums” with Frederick Jodry, harpsichord
Saturday, August 20 • 7:00 PM • Concert • St. Mary’s Episcopal Church (14 Cushing Ave)
Music by Bach, Boccherini, Scarlatti, and Larget-Caplan
Repeated 8/21 in Newport, RI & 8/28 in Provincetown, MA w/slight variation

CONCERT 3: “Lullings”
Thursday, September 15 • 5:30 PM • Concert • Upham’s Corner Branch of the Boston Public Library
Music by Ronald Pearl, Tom Nazziola, Curtis Hughes, Brian Schober, Scott Wheeler, Dean Rosenthal, Larget-Caplan, and Bach.

CONCERT 4: “Electric Hush”
Thursday, October 13 • 5:30 PM • Concert • Upham’s Corner Branch of the Boston Public Library
Music by Lainie Fefferman, Tom Flaherty, Ian Wiese, Gregory Biss, Stefanie Lubkowski, Dennis Bathory-Kitsz, Larget-Caplan.
* Includes two works for electronics and guitar!

CONCERT 5: “Catching Dreams”
Thursday, November 17 • 5:30pm • Upham’s Corner Branch of the Boston Public Library
Music by Laurie Spiegel, Anthony Green, Jim Dalton, Michael Veloso, John Johnstone, Francine Trester, Larget-Caplan.

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