Get an insider's take on Sean Varah's brand new piano trio with the composer and musicians.

When musicians learn a new piece they get to explore it from every angle, playing slowly, playing fast, listening to one part at a time, talking about the phrases, asking the composer questions.

Audiences usually just get to hear a premiere once, and have to absorb everything about the new music at once. That can be thrilling, but some people want to hear in richer detail. For you we offer Left Coast Ear, with a chance to listen from the musicians’ and composer’s perspectives.

At our first Left Coast Ear event, we’ll play Sean Varah’s new trio in sections, talk about it, and take audience questions. And then, with new perspectives and new ears, we’ll have a performance of the complete piece.

Sometimes people wonder: What did the composer imagine when writing this new piece? What are the musicians listening for? How did they rehearse the piece? How does this piece fit in with older music? What is the story inside the music? Am I hearing the same thing they hear? Maybe you have other questions––detailed or cosmic––about the composer's or musicians' perspective. Your interests, as our listeners, will guide the conversation.  

Please join us. Connect with the composer and musicians and a great community of adventurous listeners.

We thank the Zellerbach Family Foundation for supporting the Left Coast Ear series, for people who want a chance to hear, explore, and discuss new music in a relaxed atmosphere.