Postcard From Composer and Pianist Sarah Gibson
In SFGC’s Postcard series, our guest artists, collaborators, and faculty take us behind the scenes and share an intimate look into their thoughts about music, life, and art-making.
This postcard features composer and pianist Sarah Gibson. Below, Sarah gives us insight into her piece This is What it Means, co-commissioned by SFGC and Left Coast Chamber Ensemble, which premieres this weekend at the inaugural California Festival.
Sarah Gibson is a Los Angeles based composer and pianist whose works draw on her breadth of experience as a collaborative performer. Gibson’s music has been described as “expansive” (LA Times) and has been performed by the BBC & Los Angeles Philharmonics, Atlanta, Seattle, and New Jersey Symphonies, Jennifer Koh, Departure Duo, HOCKET, and at various venues across the United States and in Europe. As a pianist, Sarah has performed with many of these ensembles as well as with Wild Up, the Bang on a Can All-Stars, and the Atlanta Symphony where she debuted under the direction of Donald Runnicles in 2005.
Sarah is co-founder of the new music piano duo, HOCKET, which has been lauded as "brilliant" by the LA Times' Mark Swed, and is a core artist for the inimitable Los Angeles Series, Piano Spheres.
Don't forget to grab your tickets to This is What it Means this November 4th and 5th!
Sarah Gibson, Composer, “This is What it means”
Your bio states that your compositions “reflect [your] deep interest in the creative process across various artistic mediums - especially from the female perspective.” What does your creative process for composition look like?
I very often begin my creative process by either going to an art museum or going to a live concert. Both activities get my juices flowing. Seeing artists express themselves through different mediums than my own is always inspiring. As a collaborative pianist, going to concerts and seeing performers communicate with each other on stage is always exhilirating. Once I find that initial spark of inspiration, I normally go to the piano to improvise and find my way into a piece.
How does the female perspective manifest in your work?
My mother is a painter, and growing up, arts and crafts were a part of my every day experience. Each day was a creative playground where I could make no mistakes. Having such a strong artistic role model from a young age definitely influenced me as a composer and performer. In recent years, it has been very important to me to highlight and celebrate underrepresented artists, and as a woman, the female perspective has been the most inspiring and personal for me.
Tell us about “This is What it Means”! What was your way into the piece?
Madeline Miller's Circe is a creative take on Odysseus from the female perspective of Circe. I was so enveloped in the book and the impressive female protagonist. The final sentences in the book are the text I use for This is what it means. I love the peacefulness of the text, the way it invites readers/listeneres to breathe and be connected to themselves and the earth.
The premiere of “This is What it Means” is presented through the California Festival. What distinguishes California music and musicians?
California is such an exciting music scene...I can't imagine living anywhere else. Musicians here are so open-minded and curious...no one really fits into a box like in other places. You can go to a concert and each piece is a different style and played amazingly. This is so exhilirating as a composer and performer and I don't think is replicated in other states.
What advice can you give to our singers that you wish you had received when you were their age?
Your voice is individual and cannot be replicated. If you express yourself truly, you will be heard and respected. Authenticity speaks!
What inspires you about working with SFGC?
Working with the next generation of musicians is always exciting. I am passionate about supporting and encouraging young musicians to be the most authentic version of who they can be. Considering the text I use in this piece and also the breadth of the California Festival, it is even more meaningful to me that young women will be represented in the concert.
What are you excited to work on in the future? Give us a sneak peek!
I have an upcoming orchestra piece I am working on and a few other chamber pieces in the works. I'm excited to continue to find ways to support the female voice and broaden narrative in my work.