presents

MOONDOG RISING

AN UNPRECEDENTED FESTIVAL EXPLORING
THE LIFE AND WORKS OF
MAVERICK COMPOSER LOUIS HARDIN (1916-1999)

November 2-3, 2007 at Advent Lutheran Church
93rd and Broadway, New York City (google map)

Featuring
Stefan Lakatos: master of the Trimba
Robert Scotto: author of the new authorized biography,
Moondog: the Viking of 6th Avenue
and
The Eupraxia Players: 20 classically trained musicians,
plus special guests.

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'Moondog Rising' is a unique collaboration between organizations, performers, artists, scholars, and supporters convening in New York for two days (November 2 and 3), of concerts, a symposium, and social action in honor of Moondog (Louis Hardin), a prolific but under-recognized composer.

Born Louis Thomas Hardin in 1916, Moondog first made an impression in the late '40s when his music was played by the New York Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall. His unique, melodic compositions were released on the Prestige jazz label. In the late '60s the Viking-garbed Moondog was a pop music sensation on Columbia Records. The last decades of his life saw his evolution as a master composer for European orchestras.

'Moondog Rising' celebrates the release of Hardin's first and only authorized biography by Robert Scotto, 20 years in the making. "Moondog, the Viking of Sixth Avenue" will be released in October by Process and includes a CD featuring numerous selections never before released.

Stefan Lakatos, master of the Trimba, was a close friend of Moondog and inherited the unique Moondog percussion instrument, known as the trimbas. He is the only person to have studied percussion with him and is now is the curator and the artistic supervisor of Moondog´s music.

Eupraxia is a new nonprofit organization devoted to exploring composed musics from various socio-historical perspectives. Through collaborative endeavors with associated disciplines, the Eupraxia Players seek out diverse audiences, participate in education and outreach programs, and commit to creating community through their efforts. 'Moondog Rising' was developed by Eupraxia Director, Robin Boomer.