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
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Ethics of Blogging

Some people use blogging as a way to vent any kind of frustration, and if this outlet functions as a kitchen-sink form of healing (throw it all in there), it tends to use the readers as a bouncing device. But as blogging is an exercise in our newfound freedom of expression, I hesitate to recommend any kind of limit on what to say.

The question is, what does the blog accomplish? Is it simply a selfish, egotistical tool of power or revenge, or is it a way to serve the music community by providing positive, creative ideas?

Blogging etiquette is very much up to the blogger. My own etiquette, as I am an essentially ethical individual, is to avoid causing harm by what I say, which means that I will not criticize my colleagues, or praise my friends just because they are my friends - because I am not the most objective in that situation. If I mention someone else in the blog, I make sure they are aware of it by exchanging a few emails or calls with them before hand and fully approve of what is being quoted.

I also make an effort to check my facts and not print anything that is misinformed or misspelled.

There is nothing else, beyond these simple rules, to censor the chit chat.