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.

NOSTALGIC QUIETUDE – MUSIC OF THOSE WHO LEFT HOME

Due to illness, not related to Covid, the concert to be rescheduled for a later date in 2024. All tickets are being refunded.

Sign up for our mailing list to stay up to date: http://nowmusique.com/

*************

Now Musique presents acclaimed cellist Rafael Popper-Keizer a rare solo recital of reflection, quietude and comfort.

The concert, Nostalgic Quietude, begins at 7:30pm on Friday January 19, at the beautiful First Church Boston, 66 Marlboro Street. Seating is general admission. TICKETS

On the recital Rafael Popper-Keizer writes, “For the depths of midwinter, I wanted to present a program that offers space for reflection, quietude, and comfort. The underlying theme is one of nostalgia; the five composers represented on the first half are all artists who left their homeland (Wales, Ukraine, Germany, Switzerland, Catalonia) but whose music continued to deeply express the culture and ethos of their respective places of birth. The Bach that closes the program represents a more personal sort of nostalgia: in the most introspective and melancholic of his cello suites, Bach draws us into the depths of our own inner worlds and holds us there firmly for six profound moments in time.”

“Rafi is well known for his artistic excellence in the music community,” says Now Musique Artistic Director Aaron Larget-Caplan, “but he is rarely heard is such a setting. As a student at the New England Conservatory, I was very lucky to experience his solo playing when he was an Artist Diploma, so we are extremely happy to be able to present such an artist as Rafael Popper-Keizer to the wider public.

Tickets are $20 through Eventbrite or at the door, General Seating
Now Musique Website: http://nowmusique.com/

PROGRAM:

• The Cresset Stone – Hilary Tann (1947-2023)
• Ballade – Léon Mouravieff (1905-1987)
• Liebesleid – Ralf Gawlick (b. 1969)
• Suite #3 for unaccompanied cello in a minor – Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
• El cant dels ocells – Traditional/Casals
      Intermission
• Suite #5 for unaccompanied cello in c minor – Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

NOW MUSIQUE:
Founded in 2019 by guitarist and composer Aaron Larget-Caplan, Now Musique is a new music series celebrating the recital format of new and often neglected solo and ensemble music with outstanding international artists. Committed to a bringing music into communities, the 2022 season saw five formal concerts featuring 30 living composers, and four more all-ages programs in Dorchester.

RAFAEL POPPER-KEIZER
Hailed by The New York Times as “imaginative and eloquent” and dubbed “a local hero” by the Boston Globe, cellist Rafael Popper-Keizer maintains a vibrant and diverse career as one of Boston’s most celebrated artists. He is principal cellist of the Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Emmanuel Music, and the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, and a core member of many notable chamber music organizations throughout New England, including the Chameleon Arts Ensemble, A Far Cry, Winsor Music, and Monadnock Music. His 2003 performance with the Boston Philharmonic of the Saint-Saëns Concerto in A minor was praised by the Globe for “melodic phrasing of melting tenderness” and “dazzling dispatch of every bravura challenge;” more recent solo appearances include Strauss’ Don Quixote, with the Boston Philharmonic; Beethoven’s Triple Concerto, with Emmanuel Music; and the North American premiere of Roger Reynolds’ Thoughts, Places, Dreams, with Sound/Icon.

Mr. Popper-Keizer has been featured on close to two dozen recordings, including the premieres of Robert Erickson’s Fantasy for Cello and Orchestra, Thomas Oboe Lee’s cello concerto Eurydice, Yehudi Wyner’s De Novo for cello and small chamber ensemble, Malcolm Peyton’s unaccompanied Cello Piece, Concert Champêtre by Thomas L. Read for guitar and cello with Aaron Larget-Caplan, and major unaccompanied works by Kodaly and Gawlick.and major unaccompanied works by Kodaly and Gawlick.

As an alumnus of the New England Conservatory, Mr. Popper-Keizer studied with master pedagogue and Piatigorsky protégé Laurence Lesser; at the Tanglewood Music Center he was privileged to work with Mstislav Rostropovich, and was Yo-Yo Ma’s understudy for Strauss’ Don Quixote under the direction of Seiji Ozawa. His prior teachers include Stephen Harrison, at Stanford University, and Karen Andrie, at the University of California at Santa Cruz.

*****

Now Musique presents Nostalgic Quietude – Music of those who left home with Rafael Popper-Keizer, cello
Composers: Hilary Tann, Léon Mouravieff, Ralf Gawlick, Ernest Bloch, Casals, and Bach
When: Friday January 19 at 7:30pm, Doors open at 7pm
Admission: $20
Location: First Church Boston, 66 Marlborough Street, Boston 02116
TICKETS: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nostalgic-quietude-cellist-rafael-popper-keizer-in-recital-tickets-769798186097?aff=oddtdtcreator
FB Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/654252766608469
Website: http://nowmusique.com/

Upcoming Concerts!

• Friday Jan. 19 – cellist Rafael Popper-Keizer guest artist on the recital series Now Musique, Directed by Aaron Larget-Caplan. INFO

Aaron Larget-Caplan Performs:

• Friday Jan. 26 – Salem State University, Altered Worlds – recital and US premiere of Heretic, a micro-opera by Richard Cameron-Wolfe for solo guitarist. INFO
• Feb. 29 – Oklahoma City University, Oklahoma, Concert+Class. INFO
• March 1 – Spanish Gems – New Album on Tiger Turn (Aaron’s 11th album!)
• March 10 – Astoria, Oregon
• March 19 – King’s Chapel, Boston
• March 28 – Tufts University, Mass, Late-Night Concert featuring the New Lullaby Project
• April 6 – Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine, Residency+Concert – Heretic
• April 7 – Camden, Maine
• April 20 – Symphony Space, New York INFO – Heretic
• April 26 – Tufts University Residency+Concert – Heretic
• May 4-5 – Bowdoin College, Choir+Guitar, Pravasa – Travels of the Guitar by Vineet Shende

Complete Concert Information: ALCGuitar.com/calendar
*more concerts are being added

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) 

2022

slight return

moments of normalcy

new artistic directions

Catching up

Dreams realized

musical Adventures

2022 By the Numbers (see below for expansion):

• Premieres: 12
• Concerts: 26 
• Espresso: 730-750 (~2 per day)
• Albums: 2 
• Cassettes: 1 
• Publications: 3 
• Collaborations: 8
• Music with electronics: 2
• Interviews & Podcasts: 8 
• Grants: 2 
• Grants Applied for: 8 
• Interviews conducted: 5
• Residencies: 2
• Classes: 12
• Streams: 2.5 million
• Amazing Street Tacos: 2 
• Pieces performed: 79

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

2022 Numbers Expanded

• Premieres: 12 – Dennis Bathory-Kitsz, Antonio Celso Ribeiro, Dean Rosenthal, Thomas L. Read, Laurie Spiegel, Ian Wiese, Aaron Larget-Caplan
• Concerts: 26 – California, Oregon, Massachusetts, which is still well below pre-covid concert numbers.
• Espresso: 730-50 (~2 per day on average) – mainly cappuccino and Cortado
• Albums: 2 – honey cadence and God’s Time: Music of J.S. Bach on Guitar
• Cassettes: 1 – Etudes Volume 1 by Petridisch 
• Publications: 3 – Bacchanale w/ Edition Peters and two Meet The Composer articles for the American Composers Alliance 
• Collaborations: Frederick Jodry – harpsichord, John Thomas – piano; Convergence Ensemble: Heidi Braun-Hill – violin, Michelle LaCourse – viola, Hyun-Ji Kwon – cello
• Music with electronics: 2 – Lainie Fefferman & Tom Flaherty
• Interviews & Podcasts: All Classical Portland, Conducting Conversations Rhode Island, All things Six Strings (2x), Just One Question, Guitaromanie, Fret Not
• Grants: 3 – Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture, multiple Local Cultural Council
• Grants Applied for: 8 
• Interviews conducted: 5 – Music I Am blog series
• Residencies: 2 Kirkland Community Artist Residency, Clinton, New York • Now Musique – Dorchester, Mass.
• Classes: 12 – California, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island
• Streams: 2.5 million – Amazon and Spotify
• Teaching: In person and online with students from California, China, Georgia, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Texas.
• Amazing Street Tacos: 2 – San Francisco Korean Tacos and Los Angeles street tacos
• Pieces performed: 79 compositions by 34 living composers, including 7 chamber works, 12 world premieres, and 29 solos from the New Lullaby Project

* 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

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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