Composer Blogs@Sequenza21.com
Composer/keyboardist/producer Elodie Lauten creates operas, music for dance and theatre, orchestral, chamber and instrumental music. Not a household name, she is however widely recognized by historians as a leading figure of post-minimalism and a force on the new music scene, with 20 releases on a number of labels.

Her opera Waking in New York, Portrait of Allen Ginsberg was presented by the New York City Opera (2004 VOX and Friends) in May 2004, after being released on 4Tay, following three well-received productions. OrfReo, a new opera for Baroque ensemble was premiered at Merkin Hall by the Queen's Chamber Band, whose New Music Alive CD (released on Capstone in 2004) includes Lauten's The Architect. The Orfreo CD was released in December 2004 on Studio 21. In September 2004 Lauten was composer-in-residence at Hope College, MI. Lauten's Symphony 2001, was premiered in February 2003 by the SEM Orchestra in New York. In 1999, Lauten's Deus ex Machina Cycle for voices and Baroque ensemble (4Tay) received strong critical acclaim in the US and Europe. Lauten's Variations On The Orange Cycle (Lovely Music, 1998) was included in Chamber Music America's list of 100 best works of the 20th century.

Born in Paris, France, she was classically trained as a pianist since age 7. She received a Master's in composition from New York University where she studied Western composition with Dinu Ghezzo and Indian classical music with Ahkmal Parwez. Daughter of jazz pianist/drummer Errol Parker, she is also a fluent improviser. She became an American citizen in 1984 and has lived in New York since the early seventies

Visit Elodie Lauten's Web Site
Friday, September 02, 2005
Composers Anonymous

Another devastation, close to home. Make your donation to the Red Cross, however small. I had a friend in New Orleans and was on pins and needles until I heard that he had escaped early... because he listened to the mayor's warning to evacuate. Does composing mean anything under these circumstances? All I hear is the sound of water and it's not pretty.

There could very well be a need for a composers’ support group. Here are my
twelve steps of overcoming the dangerous addiction to composing:

1. Stop getting up at 5AM to compose before going to work.

2. Dry spells? Just extend them.

3. Remember you are too old to do it. It is just not healthy.

4. You are too young to do it, it will certainly get you in trouble.

5. You’re a woman. Unless you want to fight the same battles that were won twenty years ago and then lost, better go wash some dishes.

6. Instead of spending all you available cash on your next production, take a vacation.

7. You’re already famous, so don’t overdo it.

8. You aren’t famous, so don’t even think about it.

9. No one’s going to want that orchestral piece anyway. Go watch some TV.

10. How about that relationship you’ve given up for your music? Don’t mess up this one.

11. If you have a vision, put it on tape and bury it under 10 feet of rubble.

12. OR, just put it all on the internet.