David Handler

David Handler
Handler at the Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University, 2016
Background information
Born (1980-07-24) July 24, 1980
Manhattan, New York, U.S.
OccupationsComposer, violinist, entrepreneur
Works
Years active2008–present
LabelCantaloupe Music
Websitewww.david-handler.com
www.lpr.com

David Handler (born July 24, 1980) is an American composer, violinist/violist and entrepreneur.[1] His acoustic and electronic compositions have been described by The New York Times as “eerie” and “superbly wrought”, “exploring polarities of light and dark, the sacred and the profane.”[2][3][4] He is the owner and co-founder of the music venue Le Poisson Rouge, and the founder and co-artistic director of Ensemble LPR, for which he was described as “the Ian Schrager of the music scene” by The New Yorker.[5][6]

Early life and education

David Handler was born in 1980, in Manhattan, New York, and raised in Fort Lee, New Jersey. His parents are Joan Cusack Handler, a poet and publisher, and Alan Handler, a psychologist. At the age of three, Handler began studying violin, and at seven, he expanded his musical interests to include drums, rock, jazz and folk music. His early attempts at composing followed soon after. His formative years included studies at the JCC Thurnauer School of Music. Handler attended the Professional Children’s School (PCS) in Manhattan and earned a bachelor's degree from the Manhattan School of Music, studying violin performance, viola performance, composition and conducting.[7]

Career

Handler's compositions are known for incorporating contrasting themes and combining acoustic and electronic elements.[8] His works have been performed at venues including Lincoln Center, the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), the Sydney Opera House, the Philharmonie de Paris, and Barbican Hall. Notable compositions include Solstice, written for divided string orchestra performed by Ensemble LPR at Central Park’s Naumburg Bandshell in 2015, and an orchestral arrangement of Riceboy Sleeps by Jónsi and Alex Somers, premiered at Lincoln Center's White Light Festival in 2010.[4] Handler has collaborated with artists such as Alex Somers, Jónsi of Sigur Rós, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and composers Max Richter and Jonny Greenwood.[6]

In 2008, Handler co-founded Le Poisson Rouge (LPR) in New York City’s Greenwich Village, on the former site of The Village Gate.[9] The venue has hosted artists including Thom Yorke, Philip Glass, Paul Simon, Yo-Yo Ma, Lou Reed, and Lady Gaga.[10] The New York Times described LPR as a "forward-thinking venue that seeks to showcase disparate musical styles under one roof," and The Los Angeles Times called it a "musical marvel."[6]

Five years after establishing Le Poisson Rouge, Handler founded Ensemble LPR, a contemporary music ensemble based at the venue.[11] The ensemble has collaborated with musicians such as Lara St. John, Simone Dinnerstein, Jennifer Koh, Fred Sherry, Ursula Oppens, Daniel Hope, André de Ridder, Christopher Rountree, Max Richter, Jonny Greenwood, David Longstreth, Bryce Dessner, Mica Levi, John Lurie, and San Fermin.[11][12] Ensemble LPR has performed at venues including Central Park's Naumburg Bandshell, Central Park Summerstage, BRIC House Ballroom, and House of Yes.[13] In 2015, the ensemble recorded Follow, Poet for Deutsche Grammophon, featuring music by Mohammed Fairouz.[14]

In 2019, Handler reduced his involvement in Le Poisson Rouge's daily operations to focus on composition and performance projects, including orchestrating Riceboy Sleeps for an internationally touring production. He created and hosts the online radio show "Music to Live By. " Handler has given lectures at institutions such as New York University, the University of Missouri–Kansas City, Syracuse University, Hunter College, The New School, and the Manhattan School of Music. He serves on advisory boards for the David Lynch Foundation, CavanKerry Press, the Hunter College Department of Music, and the Mount Sinai Department of Psychiatry. Handler practices Transcendental Meditation.[15] The album Life Like Violence, Handler's first, was released on Cantaloupe Music in May 2025.[16] The album was featured on NPR's All Songs Considered that month.[17]

Selected works

Handler's compositions span large orchestra, chamber orchestra, chamber ensembles, solo instruments, and electronic/electro-acoustic pieces.

Category Title Duration
Large Orchestra The Diving Bell 20'
Riceboy Sleeps, Orchestrated 50'
Chamber Orchestra Fanfare & Fugue (for a Fish) 12'
Solstice 13'
Chamber Ever After 5'
Impressions of Blue in Green 12'
Celtic Verses 22'
Liadan's Lament 9'[2]
Rhapsody 7'
Sunbled Sky 4'
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Arrangements 35'
John Lurie Arrangements 15'
Bolero Arrangement 18'
Solo Contrasts 8'
Boxeo 9'
Electronic/Electro-acoustic Lullaby for Piano & Electronics 4'40"
Life Like Violence circa 2003, or: Untitled Caprice 5'25"
Dialogue for Guitar & Electronics 7'

References

  1. ^ Ouelette, Dan (1 May 2018). "NYC Indie Venue Le Poisson Rouge Celebrates 10th Anniversary With An Eye Toward the Future". www.billboard.com. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  2. ^ a b Smith, Steve (26 November 2013). "A Wink Toward Tradition in a Modern Eveningeater.html". www.nytimes.com. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  3. ^ Smith, Steve (17 November 2010). "To Boldly Go Beyond the Limits of Sacred Music (Published 2010)". www.nytimes.com. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  4. ^ a b Tommasini, Anthony (1 July 2015). "Review: Ensemble LPR Plays, With Central Park as an Inspiration". www.nytimes.com. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  5. ^ Tommasini, Anthony (17 June 2019). "Feeding Those Young and Curious Listeners". www.nytimes.com. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  6. ^ a b c Beckett, Bailey (9 August 2019). "Celebrating A Decade Of Music With An Eye To The Future". newyorklifestylesmagazine.com. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  7. ^ Swed, Mark (3 July 2009). "Poisson Rouge's sense of musical adventure". www.latimes.com. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  8. ^ Wally, Maxine (5 July 2019). "Le Poisson Rouge's Founder Is Stepping Away From the Club to Pursue Music". wwd.com. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  9. ^ Ross, Alex (31 January 2010). "Close Listening". www.newyorker.com. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  10. ^ "Le Poisson Rouge Celebrates 10 Years With Singular Venue and Vision". Pollstar. August 6, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
  11. ^ a b "Follow, Poet: An evening of Irish Song with Ensemble LPR". LPR. January 27, 2015. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
  12. ^ "Ensemble LPR March 31st, 2016". LPR. February 9, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
  13. ^ Woolfe, Zachary (17 January 2014). "Uptown Mingles With Downtown". www.nytimes.com. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  14. ^ "Ensemble LPR Reimagines Irish Song with Fairouz and Handler". www.wqxr.org. 9 April 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
  15. ^ "Jónsi & Alex Somers to play 'Riceboy Sleeps' album in London". diymag.com. 30 January 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
  16. ^ Dillon, Ryan (17 February 2025). "NYC's Le Poisson Rouge Achieves Veteran Status With Creatively Conscious Music & Art Curation (THESE WALLS)". glidemagazine.com. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  17. ^ Thompson, Stephen; Contreras, Ro "Wyldeflower" (19 May 2025). "The best new albums out May 16". npr.com. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
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