RIP: Richard Lainhart, 1953-2011
Contemporary composer, musician and filmmaker Richard Lainhart passed away on Friday, December 30 from complications following surgery.
A longtime member of the Nippertown music scene, Richard studied composition and electronic music with Joel Chadabe at UAlbany, and he was also the original namesake of Doc Scanlon’s Rhythm Boys, primarily playing vibraphone. He was a member of several other bands, including Signs of Life with Jim Sande. He was the first musician I ever saw playing the Chapman Stick in person. And by my recollection, Richard was the first local musician to release an album on CD – “These Last Days” on the Periodic Music label back in 1987. All along the way, Richard was unfailingly kind and encouraging to other musicians.
Despite his long and prolific musical career, he was only beginning to achieve the recognition and acclaim that he so richly deserved.
A memorial service is being planned for next month. Check in at the O-Town Media website for details as they develop.
LINKS:
Wikipedia
Jim Sande remembers Richard Lainhart
Create Digital Music: Richard Lainhart, Prolific Composer and Artist, Dies at 58; Links to His Work
Richard Lainhart’s Facebook page
Richard Lainhart Pt 1 Arts Center of Capital Region 3/28/09:
Oraison, composed by Olivier Messiaen in 1937 for six Ondes Martenot, transcribed for Buchla 200e synthesizer and Haken Continuum Fingerboard controller and performed by Richard Lainhart in 2009.:
Richard’s passing is a great loss; the world was made richer by his presence and is now poorer in his absence.
sorry to hear of Richard’s passing. Have fond memories of seeing him perform.
Thanks, Greg, everyone, for a beautiful, thoughtful tribute. I posted the link on the otownmedia site.
Though I only knew Richard enough to say hi to, I had seen him with a few local bands and was unaware of his recent musical activities. Reading Jim’s recollections was very moving and made me feel a personal connection.