Brazilian pianist writes ode to mythical island
As climate change continues to imperil the natural world, creative artists of all stripes reach for responses to the threat. The latest such effort is “Lemuria,” a new work by the Brazilian American composer and pianist Clarice Assad, which has its world premiere this week with the Left Coast Chamber Ensemble.
The piece, written for two cellos, percussion and cello choir, celebrates the mythical island said to have sunk into the Indian Ocean — a tale that today feels all too relevant.
The rest of the concert program, titled “The Sound of Nature,” includes music for cello, guitar and percussion by Bach, George Crumb, Evan Hause and Kurt Rohde.