Lash/Voynich Project
Embark on a Unique Journey
The New Haven Symphony Orchestra is embarking on a two-year journey with Hannah Lash, the NHSO’s new Composer-in-Residence, as she writes the most monumental work of her career thus far– a complete Symphony based on the mysterious Voynich Manuscript housed in Yale’s Beinecke Library.
The NHSO will premiere each of the Symphony’s four movements over the course of two seasons, with the first movement, “Herbal,” to be performed on October 1, 2015, and the second movement, “Astronomical,” on May 19, 2016, at Woolsey Hall in New Haven, CT. The third movement, “Biological,” will be premiered in the Fall of 2016 and the entire Symphony, including the fourth movement, “Cosmological,” will be performed in the Spring of 2017.
The Lash/Voynich Project’s defining feature will be the involvement and partnership of the Greater New Haven community and music lovers connected electronically across the globe in the working process and creation of this commission. Throughout the composition process, Lash will write and video blog about her progress on the piece and walk all of us through the creation of this brand-new work.
This page will be updated regularly with messages from Hannah, information about the premieres, audience feedback, special events, and more! Please share your feedback with us on social media: @NHSO #Lash #Voynich.
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October 24, 2016
Click to hear a clip from the NHSO’s world premiere of the third movement of the Lash/Voynich Project, recorded in September 2016.
Excerpt: Lash/Voynich Project – Mvmt 3: Biological
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September 29, 2016
Mayor Toni Harp Declares September 29, 2016, “Women Making Music Day” in New Haven
The City of New Haven is proclaiming September 29, 2016 “Women Making Music Day” in honor of the NHSO’s Composer-in-Residence Hannah Lash, whose music will be performed at the New Haven Symphony Orchestra’s (NHSO) Opening Night concert at 7:30pm in Woolsey Hall, and female composer and trailblazer Helen Hagan. Click here to read more…
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September 20, 2016
Hannah Lash describes her inspirations for the third movement of the Lash/Voynich Project, and gives us an exclusive first listen to some of the music from that movement.
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September 14, 2016
NHSO Composer-in-Residence Hannah Lash describes her initial musings on the third movement of the Lash/Voynich Project.
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August 25, 2016
Click to hear a clip from the NHSO’s world premiere of the second movement of the Lash/Voynich Project, recorded in May 2016.
Excerpt from Lash/Voynich Project – II. Astronomical
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May 12, 2016
EXCLUSIVE Sneak Peek!
NHSO Composer in Residence Hannah Lash let us into her studio to hear a preview of “Astronomical,” the second movement of the Lash/Voynich Project. This movement is inspired by the motion of planets and stars and the vastness of the universe.
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May 9, 2016
NHSO Composer-in-Residence Hannah Lash welcomes you back into her studio to explain the inspirations behind her second movement of the Lash/Voynich Project, titled, “Astronomical.”
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April 18, 2016
Explore the next chapter of the Lash/Voynich Project!
The NHSO has commissioned NHSO Composer-In-Residence Hannah Lash to compose a full Symphony over the course of two seasons; the Symphony is inspired by the mysterious Voynich Manuscript (pictured above). The NHSO is premiering each of the four movements separately before the full piece is premiered in Spring 2017. The second movement, “Astronomical,” is inspired by the Voynich Manuscript’s celestial charts and images and will be premiered on May 19 at Woolsey Hall.
The NHSO invites you to explore the astnomonical inspirations behind this music at the Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium at a free event on Wednesday, May 11. Meet composer Hannah Lash and NHSO music director William Boughton and learn about how they will make music and space collide, plus enjoy Leitner’s planetarium show and see their collection of telescopes.
Free Admission
Space is Limited; please RSVP to mailto: BoxOffice@NewHavenSymphony.org or call 203.865.0831 x.20. -
February 1, 2016
Click to hear a clip from the NHSO’s world premiere of the first movement of the Lash/Voynich Project, recorded in October 2015.
Excerpt from Lash/Voynich Project – I. Herbal
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December 8, 2015
National Endowment For The Arts Awards New Haven Symphony Orchestra $20,000 For Lash/Voynich Project
The New Haven Symphony Orchestra (NHSO) is proud to announce that it is a recipient of a $20,000 Art Works Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The NHSO has received this award in response to its ground-breaking Lash/Voynich Project.
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October 15, 2015
Thank You!
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October 8, 2015
The Reviews Are In!
“The New Haven Symphony Orchestra kicked off their 2015-2016 season with a bold statement, indicating their commitment to replenishing not only the repertoire of orchestral music, but also the audience for it.”
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October 2, 2015
Bravo!
Last night was the world premiere of the first movement of the Lash/Voynich Project. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this performance. What were your thoughts on the piece so far? Share your feedback with us on our Facebook Page or feel free to email us at BoxOffice@NewHavenSymphony.org.
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September 8, 2015
In the Studio: A Theme Grows
NHSO Composer-in-Residence Hannah Lash describes her initial musings on the first movement of the Lash/Voynich Project. Here she discusses how her first theme grows like a plant.
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September 7, 2015
In the Studio: An Off-Kilter Dance
The first movement of the Lash/Voynich Project will begin with an asymmetrical dance.
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September 3, 2015
In the Studio: Planting the Seeds of Movement 1, “Herbal”
NHSO Composer-in-Residence Hannah Lash describes her initial musings on the first movement of the Lash/Voynich Project.
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August 14, 2015
You can now support the Lash/Voynich Project through Kickstarter! Our goal is to raise $5,000 in community funding from individuals who support the creation and performance of new art. Time is limited- we need to reach $5,000 by Midnight on Friday, October 9 to receive the funding.
