The New York Times calls it “…an epicenter for adventurous music…” Manhattan Magazine proclaimed, “Every other venue should pay attention to what these guys are doing…they absolutely get it.” So, you’d think that after simultaneously setting the music world on fire whilst turning it on its head, Le Poisson Rouge (LPR) co-founders David Handler and Justin Kantor might be ready to take it easy and enjoy LPR’s (freakishly immense) success.  It turns out that isn’t the case at all.

In an interview last month with David Handler, Tuxedo Revolt discussed the evolution of the original idea shared between Handler and Kantor. We also explored the exciting plans for LPR’s latest and greatest creative endeavor—one that you won’t want to miss out on.

Located at 158 Bleecker Street, NYC, the stated mission of Le Poisson Rouge  reads:

“(Le) Poisson Rouge is a multimedia art cabaret founded by musicians…(and is) dedicated to the fusion of popular and art cultures in music, film, theater, dance, and fine art.  The venue’s mission is to revive the symbiotic relationship between art and revelry; to establish a creative asylum for both artists and audiences. “ —And this LPR has done, astonishingly well.

LPR definitely has a vibe, something between Glam Rock and Alfred Hitchcock.  But Handler explained to me how the environment of LPR is just as important as the music itself. He said that, “Only recently were art and revelry divorced. [He gestured to the swanky design of the art/gallery bar where we were sitting] The arts are native to this environment. Live art can thrive where people feel comfortable socializing and  flirting with each other. This is a modern take on a very old way of life.”

I couldn’t agree with him more, but there are others who might beg to differ. When I asked Handler what he had to say to those who believe that music should be able to stand alone from all extra-musical components, that the art itself should be completely free from external influence, David paused a moment and then made a wise observation. “There’s room for everyone. There is room for old and new; and there is room to grow.”

Since our interview, I’ve thought about that singular statement quite a bit. Why do we seem to polarize into one camp or the other? The world is teeming with billions of people, and millions in New York City alone. Why should anyone have to choose sides? Why not take it all in? When you begin to let down your defenses and or artistic prejudices as David suggests, you open yourself up to new inspirations and new art. Humans are social creatures. Why not mix socialization with live music and art?  Why not make the viewing or listening space for a work of art a party? Why not mix the old withthe new?

The challenges that LPR poses to our artistic beliefs are the earmarks of  innovation.  David Handler and Justin Kantor are exactly just that, innovators. They are now ready to expand the artistic scope and depth of the LPR mission.  This month, David and Justin along with co-Artistic Directors Orlando Alonso and Ronen Givony will present a preview of the latest and greatest idea fresh off the drawing board….get ready for it:  Ensemble LPR conducted by the legendary Tito Muñoz.

I asked David to tell me more about Ensemble LPR. “It’s about starting a new movement in the arts and creating a physical personification of the standard and the aesthetic we champion here at LPR,” said Handler.  Ensemble LPR is already proving to live up to Handler’s expectations. On its preview concert next week, Ensemble LPR will present “Recomposed” by Max Richter side-by-side Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons”.  The origins of Richter’s  “Recomposed” are more fully detailed in this description from the LPR website:

“British composer Max Richter is now part of Deutsche Grammophon’s acclaimed Recomposed series, in which contemporary artists are invited to re-work a traditional piece of music. The idea of recomposing and re-processing musical works was common practice in Bach’s time and the project presents an exciting opportunity to make favorite classics relevant to a wider audience. However, Richter’s approach differs fundamentally from the preceding releases. In contrast to previous participants, such as Matthew Herbert or Moritz von Oswald & Carl Craig, who reworked recordings from the extensive Deutsche Grammophon catalogue, Richter actually ‘recomposed’ Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons.”

 Right from the beginning, Ensemble LPR will prove to audiences that old and new, tradition and innovation, old and New Music—can not only coexist, but also compliment one another.  As David so eloquently stated, “There’s room for everyone.”

If I was passing out all-star awards for organizations in the arts world that upheld the Tuxedo Revolt core ideals of performance innovation integrated with cultural relevance— Le Poisson Rouge, and its cofounders David Handler and Justin Kantor, would be first and foremost among them.  If you’d like to hear the complete Tuxedo Revolt interview with David Handler, stay tuned for the official Tuxedo Revolt podcast to follow soon.

Stay tuned and be sure to check out Ensemble LPR on Dec. 19^th and 20^th New York City.

-John-Morgan

Related articles

• December at Le Poisson Rouge (avantmusicnews.com)
• Max Richter released ‘Recomposed By Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons,’ performing it in NYC w/ Wordless Music (brooklynvegan.com)