Since 1992, San Francisco’s LEFT COAST CHAMBER ENSEMBLE has beguiled local audiences with exceptional performances and extraordinary programming. Their unique structure—LCCE is a collective of some of the Bay Area’s most admired musicians—allows them to present a broad range of repertoire in varied instrumentation. LCCE is committed to shining a light on emerging composers and the music of our time as well as presenting thrilling performances of the traditional chamber music we all love.
AMN was delighted when the opportunity arose to collaborate with Left Coast in creating a special event that brings community musicians together with adventurous composers in a live performance as part of LCCE’s annual festival.
AMN’s Lolly Lewis spoke with Left Coast Artistic Director Matilda Hofman about the project and about her vision of music that creates an authentic connection with the community.
Left Coast is committed to working with emerging composers and presenting high-quality performances of new and experimental works. Why is this so central to your mission?
It’s so exciting to be part of the process of a new work coming to life. In this concert the musicians will be even more involved in the creative process, as two of the works include improvisation. Hesam Abedini will be creating Crossing 3 with the musicians in real time, through the rehearsal and performance process, while Brittany Green’s score offers a lot of creative choices to the performers.
Music is never finished, it’s constantly changing. As performers, we can look to the future in bringing new voices to life, at the same time as we bring our deep personal instincts to bear on the music of the past, and strive to make it new again. This living continuum of musical evolution is where LCCE is at home. Working with the music of today and the composers of tomorrow enhances our vision of what excellence is and how classical music is genuinely part of the community, not isolated from it.
I love that Left Coast is never just one thing. Some of your ensemble members are renowned Early Music specialists, and others are orchestra musicians in some of the Bay Area’s top ensembles. How do you program for a “consortium” with its wide range of interests and instruments?
LCCE can perform in many different instrumental combinations, which opens a wealth of sound worlds and musical possibilities. Composers are able to write for combinations which don’t typically get as much attention. We perform new works alongside music from the past, which creates fresh perspectives for both the old and new music.
Because our programming calls on such an unusual variety of instrumentation, we can create opportunities for our artists who have busy schedules with other ensembles to participate in extraordinary chamber music with reliable partners they know and have affinity with. That way the musical level stays very high and we can create programming in a nimble and responsive way.
LCCE has an ongoing relationship with talented new composers through your composition contest program. I know it must be life-changing for these young composers to hear their own music played with such respect and sincerity by fine professional artists. But how does it affect those artists to play the music of talented young composers who are still in a formative phase?
One thing we do at LCCE is to really go into depth with every piece we work on and perform. We love to work with composers and create a space where they can develop their voices. We work to give every piece we perform the time it deserves: the musicians really absorb the music over time.
In the upcoming concert, how do you imagine the interaction with community musicians in the context of new music will inform and amplify the musical meaning of the works? Tell us something about what you anticipate for this collaboration.
Both Brittany and Hesam are established early career composers. Trey is an emerging composer who is a real talent to look out for. It is so exciting to be part of the process of music coming into being for young composers and to work with composers over time. It is great to have a musical relationship which can evolve and grow.
MAPS will be, among other things, a sonic journey through the beautiful Maybeck-designed church (First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Berkeley). It will be a thought-provoking musical exploration of the nature of borders and boundaries.
Two of the works involve improvisation: the performers also become part of the creative process of the work. We hope the interaction of the community musicians and the creative impulse of these wonderful composers will spark a stronger connection with new music in all their lives.
Plus, this is not your typical full-length concert: it will be about one hour of music followed by coffee and refreshments—perfect for a Saturday morning. We hope everyone onstage and in the audience will genuinely feel part of a special one-of-a-kind music experience and we hope to see you there!
AMN hopes so too. Thank you, Matilda, and thanks to LCCE!
To learn more about this collaboration and to apply to participate, go to https://amateurmusic.org/info/workshop/leftcoast2027/.
APPLICATION DEADLINE OCT 31!