Earplay’s 35th season opener at the Herbst Theater will showcase the ensemble in a succession of solos, duos and trios—including two Earplay commissioned world premieres— before culminating in a quintet by featured composer Kaija Saariaho. Expect surprises, introspections, and sonic bursts! Northern California composers Bruce Bennett and Addie Camsouzou offer new works for duo (the art of disappearing) and trio (Twilit). Violinist Terrie Baune and pianist Brenda Tom are the guides for Gilad Cohen’s sensuous and slowly unfolding Late Shadows, the winner of Earplay’s 2019 Donald Aird Prize for composition. The concert culminates in a performance of Saariaho’s energetic Terrestre for solo flute, violin, cello, harp and percussion, in which birds, bees, overtones, sighs and grunts craft a world both earthy and celestial.
Conducted by Mary Chun, the core ensemble is Terrie Baune (violin), Ellen Ruth Rose (viola), Thalia Moore (cello), Tod Brody (flute), and Peter Josheff (clarinet). During the 2020 season, pianist Brenda Tom will be on hiatus, and we will welcome guest pianists with whom we’ve worked in the past; Daniela Mineva will be guest pianist for Concert 1. More information and tickets can be found at www.earplay.org.