NEWS

VIDEO CLIP OF "quick sparrows" PREMIERE; @MARYBICHNERMUSIC ON INSTAGRAM

February 9, 2026

Above is clip from the premiere of Mary's string quartet work "quick sparrows / ὤκεες στροῦθοι", which was performed at the "Eleven Voices: New Music" concert at Hollywood Piano in Pasadena, CA, USA on January 24th. The piece was named one of the eleven winners of the Hollywood Piano Composers' Chamber Music Concert Contest.

"quick sparrows / ὤκεες στροῦθοι" is the second movement of "EFTA Suite", a string quartet work commissioned by luxury boutique hotel The Vasilicos of Santorini, Greece; as part of its “[To Build] A [Temporary] Home” ad hoc artist residency program. The piece is a sprightly allegro vivace which illustrates a pair of small birds inquisitively hopping around the patio table of a colorful, fruit-laden breakfast. "quick sparrows / ὤκεες στροῦθοι" was composed in Eb-major (vibrant blue, vibrant green, and vibrant orange in Mary's synesthesia color palette) to match the iconic blue found in The Vasilicos’ signature Burleigh Blue Calico breakfast plates. (More info on "EFTA Suite" can be found right here.)

Thanks so much to Xenia Deviatkina Loh (violin I), Mona Tian (violin II), Emma Antonides (viola), and Christopher Healy (cello) for their beautiful performance of the piece! Heartfelt thanks also to Hollywood Piano for selecting the work for the concert, and to The Vasilicos for the wonderful collaboration that made the creation of "quick sparrows / ὤκεες στροῦθοι" possible.

And in another fun piece of news -- Mary is back on Instagram under the handle @marybichnermusic! If you'd like, you can follow her real-time musical adventures right here:

www.instagram.com/marybichnermusic

Thanks again to one and all, and please check back soon for Mary's 2026 concert and project announcements!

"quick sparrows" TO PREMIERE DURING eleven voices new music concert on january 24th in pasAdena, ca, usa

January 2, 2026

( Image: Banner for the Eleven Voices New Music Concert, sponsored by Hollywood Piano )

Happy New Year, one and all! Mary is delighted to announce that her 2025 string quartet work, "quick sparrows / ὤκεες στροῦθοι", will premiere as part of the Eleven Voices New Music Concert on January 24th at Hollywood Piano in Pasadena, California, USA. The piece was named one of the eleven winners of the Hollywood Piano Composers' Chamber Music Concert Contest, all of which will be performed at the concert.

Tickets to the event are free, and can be reserved in advance right here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/eleven-voices-new-music-concert-tickets-1979546505887

"quick sparrows / ὤκεες στροῦθοι" is the second movement of "EFTA Suite", a new string quartet work commissioned by beautiful luxury boutique hotel The Vasilicos of Santorini, Greece; as part of its “[To Build] A [Temporary] Home” ad hoc artist residency program. Deriving its name from Efta, one of the hotel's most intimate and romantic suites, “EFTA Suite” captures a series of beautiful moments — a brilliant kaleidoscopic sunset, and a sumptuous outdoor meal unexpectedly accompanied by a pair of cheeky sparrows — as experienced by the composer from the cliff-hanging Efta terrace during her May 2024 composer residency at The Vasilicos.

The piece is a sprightly allegro vivace which illustrates a pair of small birds inquisitively hopping around the patio table of a colorful, fruit-laden breakfast. "quick sparrows / ὤκεες στροῦθοι" was composed in Eb-major (vibrant blue, vibrant green, and vibrant orange in Mary's synesthesia color palette) to match the iconic blue found in The Vasilicos’ signature Burleigh Blue Calico breakfast plates.  

Thank you so much to Hollywood Piano for selecting "quick sparrows / ὤκεες στροῦθοι" for its Composers' Chamber Music Concert Contest, congratulations to all of the winners, and looking forward to the premiere!