Moondog, whose real name was Louis Thomas Hardin, was blinded at age 16 on Independence Day, 1932, when a blasting cap exploded in his face.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Moondog's work blends a passion for Native American pulse, admiration for Johann Sebastian Bach's contrapuntal writing, an inclination for jazz, and a devotion to tonality.
Recording & Production
The arrangements for this album were created by Katia Labèque, David Chalmin, Massimo Pupillo, and Raphaël Séguinier.
Composer Biography
Before adopting the name Moondog, Louis Thomas Hardin was known for haunting New York Philharmonic rehearsals in monk's clothes, with long hair and a beard hiding an Indian arrowhead pendant.
Composition History
Moondog's first known piece, a 'Mazurka' composed in 1948 as a tribute to Chopin, won first prize in an amateur musicians' competition patronized by Duke Ellington.
Interpretation
The performers on this album, Katia Labèque and Triple Sun (David Chalmin, Massimo Pupillo, and Raphaël Séguinier), are alternately faithful to Moondog's scores or take liberties, such as electrifying certain pieces.
