Press

"The Father Book was an inventive and notably attractive work that juxtaposed alternately melodic, minimalist and Eastern-tinged solo electric-guitar lines against an atmospheric track of microtonal noodlings on a warped clavichord that Grad's father had built in his youth. It was a loving tribute to Grad's father, John, who died at age 50, and to Bach, the father of all modern composers." "[The Gathering] was truly lovely, with composer Aaron Grad's Americana-by-way-of-Aaron-Copland arrangements meshing perfectly with the stringband quartet of Dossett, Giddens, banjo player Joe Newberry and mandolin man Mike Compton." "Just listen to the first piece, Lep•i•dop•ter•ol•o•gy, (named, obviously, for the study of butterflies) by 27-year-old composer Aaron Grad. The marvelous, infectious manner that he weaves his arpeggiated flutters among the three instruments, sometimes grouping them in twos yet still maintaining a constantly devoted sense of thematic unity, is a wonder to hear."

LINKS TO AARON IN THE PRESS

Composing and Arranging:
Review of Strange Seasons in The Sun Break
Preview of Strange Seasons in The Seattle Times
Preview of Strange Seasons in The Seattle Weekly
Preview of Old-Fashioned Love Songs in The Washington Post
Concert review of Old-Fashioned Love Songs in The Washington Post
Preview of Old-Fashioned Love Songs in The Seattle Times
Preview of The Lost Voice in The Seattle Weekly
Review of The Father Book CD in Pasatiempo
Full Washington Post review of The Father Book performance at the Strathmore Mansion
Radio feature on The Father Book by KUOW, Seattle's NPR affiliate
Intervew on Gazette.Net about The Father Book
Profile on WQXR from Aaron's nomination for the Orpheus Project 440

Program notes:
Review of Michael Hersch's Images from a Closed Ward, with mention of Aaron's notes
Review of Mariinsky Orchestra, with mention of Aaron's notes
Review of recital program by pianist Angela Hewitt, with mention of Aaron's notes

Journalism:
Review by Aaron for The Washington Post
Interview with composer Aaron Jay Kernis on Playbill Arts
Feature article about Stravinsky and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra on Playbill Arts