George Sarah
Biography
Experience
Composer/Performer
Projects and Media
Schedule
Upcoming Engagements
Description
Battleship Potemkin (1925) silent film World Premiere of live musical score by George Sarah • string quartet + vocal quartet + Electronics.
Friday and Saturday Aug 14 and 15, 2026
at the Sierra Madre Playhouse
87 W Sierra Madre Blvd
Sierra Madre, CA 91024
Join us for a powerful screening of Sergei Eisenstein’s groundbreaking silent film Battleship Potemkin, now re-imagined through a live score composed by George Sarah. Known for bridging electronic, classical and chamber music traditions, Sarah brings his unique sonic voice to this cinematic masterpiece—integrating string quartet textures, a five-voice vocal ensemble, and subtle electronic elements to transform the screening into a multisensory experience.
The film charts the 1905 uprising aboard the Russian battleship Potemkin, a cinematic landmark whose montage, rhythm and emotional energy still resonate. Under Sarah’s score, the visuals are echoed and amplified: the strings underscore dramatic tension and camaraderie; the voices give human edge to mass uprising; the electronics add depth and contemporary resonance. The result is an event where silent-film history meets live music vitality.
Set in Sierra Madre Playhouse’s intimate setting, you’ll hear every phrase of the quartet, feel the breath of the voices, and watch the images as if for the first time. This isn’t just a screening—it’s a concert, a revival, and a moment of connection between film, sound, and live presence. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience one of cinema’s boldest works with a live score crafted for today’s audience.
George Sarah
Composer
Dates
Recent Highlights
Description
George Sarah -Composer/Arranger Synths and Electronics
George Sterne -Tenor 1
Sean McDermott -Tenor 2
Anna Caplan -Mezzo Soprano
Jenna Hansen -Soprano
Kaija Hansen -Violin
Ty Kanauchi -Viola
Michael Ball -Cello 1
Francisco Martinez Devis -Cello 2
George Sarah
composer
Dates
Biography
George Sarah
Future.Present.Past.
George Sarah is an electronic composer, performer and multi-instrumentalist. He is a former member of the industrial/dark-wave band Stereotaxic Device (1988-1992) and T.H.C. (Buffy The Vampire Slayer). Born in Seoul, South Korea, he moved to the US at the age of five. He has garnered critical acclaim for his unique brand of synthetic acoustic music bridging the normally discrete worlds of classical and electronic as well as film/tv scores, album releases and concerts.
CURRENT PROJECTS (2023): CONCERTS:
Sarah premiered an original soundtrack to Carl Dreyer's 1928 silent film "The Passion of Joan of Arc" commissioned by Grand Performances in Los Angeles and is currently performing around the US at film festivals and performing art centers. The score can be described as modern classical and early chorale music mixed with alternative electronic. He is accompanied by a string quartet and four voice choir with George performing keyboards and works with local musicians when performing out of state. Recent performances include the Grand Performances in Los Angeles, Milwaukee Film Festival, Soka Performing Arts Center, Oak Cliff Film Festival in Dallas, Film Fest Tucson, Iowa City at FilmScene, Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center, West Hollywoods Winter Concert Series, Paradise Theatre in Toronto Canada, Sacred Music Fest in Kalamazoo MI, Crest Theatre in Sacramento, Buskirk Chumley Theatre in Bloomington, Indiana.
FILMS/TELEVISION:
April 2021: Feature film 'Her Name Was Jo' ( Gravitas Ventures) streaming on Paramount Plus and AmazonPrime music by George Sarah. Several pieces can be found on the 2021 release 'Vicissitudes'.
His songs have been featured on HBO Documentaries, Chris Rock's Everybody Hates Chris, CSI, CSI NY, and has scored 31 episodes for various networks including the Discovery Networkl. He was a frequent performer on ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ and has had his music played on Buffy spin-off ‘Angel’. His songs have been licensed to over 100 tv/film and multi media projects.
2017: George scored the horror thriller titled Snowbound internationally and in North America the film is titled Ice Cage and is released through AmazonPrime.
In Aug 2008 George composed music for the ceremonies at the 2008 summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China performed by the Beijing Modern Dance Company, and choreographed by Poetic Kinetics (large-scale art installations and experiential design group).
CD/ALBUM/RELEASES:
https://georgesarah.bandcamp.com
DISCOGS
https://www.discogs.com/artist/38048-George-Sarah
George Sarah has sold over 35,000 CD’s and has appeared on over 50 compilations 11 full lengths, and 7 EP releases. He has collaborated with members of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Beijing Modern Dance Company, Poetic Kinetics (large-scale art installations and experiential design group), David J (Bauhaus/Love and Rockets), Alain Whyte (Morrissey), James Fearney (The Pogues), Robert Williams (Captain Beefheart), Anthony Head (Ted Lasso), Joss Wedon (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Avengers), Angela McCluskey (Telepopmusik).
PAST CONCERTS:
Film Festivals, UCLA's Royce Hall, The Getty, LACMA, AMOEBA RECORDS, KCRW'S 'MORNING BECOMES ECLECTIC', SFMOMA Gerhard Richter reception, Oriental Theatre in Milwaukee, Texas Theatre in Dallas, El Rey Theatre Los Angeles opening for artists Bebel Gilberto, The National, Goldfrapp, Olafur Arnalds, Colin Stetson, Natacha Atlas, Lindsey Stirling, Michael Franti/Spearhead, The Bad Plus, and has toured Europe and the United States.
Press Quotes
Gallery
Press Quotes