Aaron Grad is writing love poems, composing songs, and building a one-of-a-kind electric theorbo for a new cycle with countertenor.
For this project, I will be writing and performing a new piece called Old-Fashioned Love Songs. It will be an extended song cycle for electric theorbo and countertenor that touches on themes of romance and longing.
I am not only writing love poems and composing the music for this piece – I am also designing and building an instrument that, as far as I can tell, has never been made before. It is inspired by a Baroque instrument, the theorbo, which has a normal fret board plus a set of extra-long bass strings tuned in a scale, like a harp. My electric theorbo will have 7 fretted strings, 7 bass strings, and all the guts of an electric guitar.
I will be performing this piece with the wonderful countertenor Gus Mercante. By combining the sounds of countertenor and theorbo, we will be exploring the modern resonance of a 400-year-old pairing, reinforcing the main idea behind Old-Fashioned Love songs: that love, and the music that celebrates it, is timeless.
The premiere of Old-Fashioned Love Songs will take place at the Strathmore Mansion in Bethesda, Maryland in the spring of 2014. The program will also include arrangements of love songs from across the ages.
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70
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$5,452
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Funding period
May 24, 2012 -
Jun 23, 2012
(30 days)
- First created · 5 backed
- Aaron Grad 326 friends
- Website: aarongrad.com
Pledge $5 or more
4 backers
Aaron will thank you personally on your Facebook page so everyone will know what an awesome patron of the arts you are! In addition, sponsors at any level will receive exclusive updates: keep track of Aaron as he designs and builds the electric theorbo (and learns how to play it!), writes love poems, composes songs and races the clock until the 2014 premiere.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $15 or more
9 backers
Receive a digital download of The Father Book, Aaron’s recent recording for guitar and electronics.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $25 or more
18 backers
Receive a signed CD of The Father Book, Aaron’s recent recording for guitar and electronics.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $60 or more
19 backers Limited (41 of 60 left)
Honorary Luthier: Your name will be printed on the label inside the body of the electric theorbo!
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $120 or more
3 backers Limited (17 of 20 left)
Muse: Tell Aaron all about you and your special someone during a skype or phone call. Your story may end up inspiring an Old-Fashioned Love Song.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $200 or more
0 backers Limited (5 of 5 left)
Get a chance to play the electric theorbo in a private lesson with Aaron – as soon as the instrument is built and we are in the same city at the same time.
Estimated delivery: May 2014Pledge $1,000 or more
2 backers All gone!
In true Baroque fashion, let us be your personal court musicians. Gus and Aaron will give a private performance of "Old-Fashioned Love Songs" in your home in May 2014. (Only available in the Washington, DC, Wilmington, DE or New York metro regions.)
Estimated delivery: May 2014
