A favorite lullaby arranged by a favorite composer
by
amuseman
Originally part of Gershwin's only opera, Porgy and Bess, 'Summertime' has become a standard in the American music lexicon. After hearing this arrangement by the late Toru Takemitsu, it is obvious that the song is no longer just American tune but one for the world's experience.
I know many of Toru Takemitsu's original classical music scores for orchestra, chamber ensemble and solo guitar (his Toward the Sea for alto flute and guitar is a must hear!) . His arrangement of 'Summertime' comes from a collection of 12 popular songs all for solo guitar.
Larget-Caplan's rendition is effortless and the recorded sound superb. He knows when to let the music breathe and how to give the notes just a enough oomph or vibrato to make this song become hauntingly beautiful. His respect for the complex harmonies is apparent with just enough added color to compliment Gershwin's magical melody.
Apparently Mr. Larget-Caplan has a thing for lullabies, having released a CD titled New Lullaby (2010), featuring 14 new lullabies (surprise!) by 13 composers, all written between 2006-2009. He even has an article that calls him a Lullaby Hunter in the headline.
