New Lullaby Project
Guitar + Composers + Audiences + Lullabies = New Lullaby Project
At the end of 2006 Aaron Larget-Caplan began commissioning composers to write a short lullaby of two to four minutes for solo guitar. The first one, by NYC composer and guitarist David Leisner was received a few months later and premiered that summer in Maine at the Ogunquit Museum of American Art and in NYC in the fall of 2007. Since then Aaron has received over 14 new works from composers throughout the United States.
• New Lullaby Project Premiere Concert 2 - May 2008 - Works by McDonald, Vigil, Epstein and Vayo
• New Lullaby Project Premiere Concert 3 - July 2008 - Works by Siegfried, Vigil & McDonald
• New Lullaby Project Premiere Concert 4 - January 30, 2009 - Works by Mashak, Stolz, Schwartz & Wheeler
• New Lullaby Project Premiere Concert 5 - May 1, 2009 - Works by Cooman, Feist, Small & Trester (click HERE for show info)
The Future…
All chosen lullabies are to be premiered and have repeat performances. A recording and CD will also be done and sold commercially. A printed edition of all the lullabies will be worked out soon.
Why a Lullaby?
In early 2006 Aaron released his debut album, Tracing a wheel on water, on which he recorded a Cuban lullaby arranged by Leo Brouwer (track 5). Tracing a wheel on water also included a wide range of music from the last 100 years, but whether hearing it in a live concert or from the Tracing CD, people always spoke about how the lullaby "got’em". He asked himself why this simple piece of music could grab so much attention? The other works were also highly praised, but none got as much public reaction as the lullaby. Was it the simplicity or beauty of that particular melody or did people just need a rest? Many people suggested an album of lullabies with a focus on famous ones arranged for guitar, but that has been done and the idea did not intrigue me at this point in my career. Being very passionate for contemporary music and working with composers, I decided to bring the two worlds together: have living composers write short lullabies for the guitar! The New Lullaby Project was created.
New Lullaby Project
-New ideas in an ancient form-
New Lullaby composers so far...
| • Carson Cooman, Unfolding the Gates of Dawn • Chris Eastburn, Honey Nap for Quinn and his Pandas • Julian Day, TBA • Nomi Epstein, Lulebiye* • Jonathan Feist, Leaky Roof Lullaby & No Time • Newell Hendricks • Colin Homski, TBA • David Leisner, Disturbed a Lullaby* • Jacob Mashak, Rest, Madrid* • John McDonald, You are alone to Sleep* |
• Eric Schwartz, Song Softly Song, in Trying Times* • Kevin Siegfried, Naia's Dream* • Mark Small, Descent into a Dream* • Nolan Stolz, Lullaby for Sam* • John Thomas, TBA • Francine Trester, My Darling's Slumber • Ryan Vigil, Untitled* • David Vayo, Berceuse* • Scott Wheeler, Nachtlied* * premiered by February 2009 |
How to be a New Lullaby composer
Contact Aaron via email – Aaron@AaronLc.com He will send you a list of technical guidelines. The guidelines refer to tunings, times, titles, etc. He wants you to write what you feel and make it work. Don’t be afraid.
How to be a New Lullaby supporter
All donations go to commissioning new works, future recording, performance costs (rental, publicity, etc), travel, and artist compensation.
Pre-purchase of the New Lullaby Project CD is available at $20. All donations over $75 will receive a copy f the New Lullaby Project debut CD & a copy of Tracing a wheel on water. Please contact Aaron directly via email: aaron@aaronLc.com or phone: 617-947-1330.
Expenses
Commissioning: $$$ Each chosen composer receives at least a $100 stipend. As of March 2008 over $1000 has been used to commission works.
Recording: $$
Travel: $$ Artist travel to concerts & composers coming to premieres
Publicity: $$
Strings: $
Warm glass of milk...
Lots of expenses!
