News

Tickets Now Available for Mount Auburn Cemetery Composers-in-Residence Showcase Concerts September 23rd and 24th, 2023

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Great news! Tickets are now available for the Mount Auburn Cemetery Composers-in-Residence Showcase, which will highlight the musical division of the cemetery’s celebrated artist-in-residence program. The event, which will consist of two identical concerts during the cemetery’s anniversary weekend September 23rd-24th, will feature three twenty-minute sets by composers-in-residence both past and present; including 2016-2017 composer Mary Bichner, 2022-2023 composer Ira Klein, and current composer Eden Rayz.

The September 23rd show will take place starting a 5:30pm, and the September 24th show starting at 1:00pm. Both concerts will be held outdoors, weather permitting, in the beautiful Hazel Dell at Mount Auburn Cemetery (580 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge MA 02138). Best of all, the shows are FREE and all ages (though advanced reservation is required). You can reserve your tickets in advance right here for either concert at the following links:

September 23rd @ 5:30pm tickets HERE:

https://29461.blackbaudhosting.com/29461/AiR-Music-Showcase

September 24th @ 1:00pm concert tickets HERE:

https://29461.blackbaudhosting.com/29461/AiR-Music-Showcase-24Sep2023

During her set, Mary is honored to be joined once again by the wonderful Planetary Quartet for both concerts, featuring Bennett Astrove (Violin), Carrol Lee (Viola I), Sofia Nikas (Viola II), and Alan Toda-Ambaras (Cello).

As always, complete info on both performances can be found on the “Concerts” page.

Thank you so much to one and all, and we hope to see you there! <3

Video + Blog Interview With Mount Auburn Cemetery For New “Meet the Artists” Series

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(Video by Corinne Elicone for Mount Auburn Cemetery)

Thank you so much to the historic Mount Auburn Cemetery for interviewing Mary as part of their new “Meet the Artists” video and blog series!

In the video above, created by Corinne Elicone, Mary discusses some of her favorite moments from her 2016-2017 composer residency at Mount Auburn Cemetery, as well as the profound impact that the Mount Auburn Cemetery artist-in-residency program has had on her career.

There is also a bonus blog post created by Jennifer Johnston that features some additional interview Q&A’s not included in the video, which you can view right here:

https://www.mountauburn.org/artist-update-mary-bichner/

Mary looks forward to returning to Mount Auburn on September 23rd and 24th, 2023 for a concert series featuring current composer-in-residence Eden Rayz and 2022-2023 composer-in-residence Ira Klein — ticket information will be announced soon! Until then, you can read a bit more about this concert HERE.

Thank you so much to Mount Auburn Cemetery for inviting Mary to take part in this wonderful interview and residency, and wishing everyone a beautiful end to your summer!

Orchestral Score and Parts Now Available for “Oh, the OF It All!” Mini-Ballet

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(Album art by: John J King / Video screenshot by: The Budapest Scoring Orchestra)

Just an update to announce that the official orchestral score and parts for “Oh, the OF It All!“, a nine-minute orchestral mini-ballet composed by Mary Bichner, are now available! Based on the wonderful libretto by playwright John J King, “Oh, the OF It All!” tells the tale of American illustrator/author Edward Gorey and his fondness for choreographer George Balanchine’s days at the New York City Ballet.

Although the work has not yet been premiered live, it was recorded beautifully by the Budapest Scoring Orchestra at Rottenbiller Studio in Budapest, Hungary in October 2022; with mixing and mastering by Peter Moore at Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA, USA; and released as a single in January 2023. Here is a video featuring live footage of the session filmed and edited by the Budapest Scoring Orchestra’s video team, paired with the ballet’s libretto text so that you can follow along with story:

To obtain a copy of the score and parts for your orchestral or dance ensemble, please contact Mary at info [at] marybichner [dot] com — with the centennial of Edward Gorey’s birth coming up in 2025, “Oh, the OF It All!” could make a delightful addition to a ballet mixed repertoire performance or orchestral concert! :)

Thank you to one and all, and wishing everyone a fantastic summer season!

New Concerts: Performing as Part of the Mount Auburn Cemetery Composer-in-Residence Showcase September 23 & 24, 2023

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(Photo by: Mount Auburn Cemetery)

Mary is honored to have been invited to perform during Mount Auburn Cemetery‘s Composer-in-Residence Showcase, which will highlight the musical division of the cemetery’s celebrated artist-in-residence program. The event, which will take place over two concerts during the cemetery’s anniversary weekend September 23-24, will feature both past and present composers-in-residence including current composer Eden Rayz, and 2022-2023 composer Ira Klein.

Mary served as Mount Auburn’s composer-in-residence from 2016-2017, and during her tenure created two suites of synesthesia-infused chamber works inspired by the cemetery’s colorful landscape and landmarks during the spring and autumn seasons. You can listens to the compositions right here, as well as read some articles which feature her residency in both BBC Classical Music Magazine (from the November 2021 issue) and National Georgraphic (from the Summer 2022 Special Edition, “The Brain”).

More info on the showcase concerts, including ticket info, will be coming shortly. Thank you so much to Mount Auburn for inviting Mary to perform, and looking forward to this wonderful concert series in September!

Featured On New Christina Goh Track, “INNOVE (Pratique Ode)”, Released Today

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Mary is honored to have played harpsichord on “INNOVE (Pratique Ode)“, the latest recording from French composer and vocalist Christina Goh, which is released today!

This new work, which Christina composed inspired by the life and writings of Benjamin Franklin, arrives just in time for both the United States’ National Poetry Month, as well as France’s Printemps des Poètes (“Spring of the Poets”). You can learn more about “INNOVE” (Pratique Ode), as well as listen to the track, on the official Christina Goh website right here:

https://conceptmusic.christinagoh.com/innov-pratique-ode/

“INNOVE (Pratique Ode)” will have its live premiere during a forthcoming edition of Rencontres Poétiques, Christina and Mary’s international poetry-themed concert series. New dates for Rencontres Poétiques are currently being booked in both the US and France for the 2023-2024 season — please check back soon for more info!

Thank you so much to the wonderful Christina Goh for inviting Mary to perform on this beautiful new work! Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend and happy listening to Christina’s “INNOVE (Pratique Ode)”!

Released Today: “Oh, the OF It All!” Mini Ballet (With Orchestra Video)

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(Album art by: John J King / Video screenshot by: The Budapest Scoring Orchestra)

Exciting news! “Oh, the OF It All!“, a nine-minute orchestral mini-ballet composed by Mary Bichner, is released today! Based on the wonderful libretto by playwright John J King, “Oh, the OF It All!” tells the tale of American illustrator/author Edward Gorey and his fondness for choreographer George Balanchine’s days at the New York City Ballet.

“Oh, the OF It All!” was performed and recorded BEAUTIFULLY by the amazing Budapest Scoring Orchestra at Rottenbiller Studio in Budapest, Hungary in October 2022; with mixing and mastering by the fantastic Peter Moore at Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA, USA.

Here is a video featuring live footage of the session filmed and edited by the Budapest Scoring Orchestra’s video team, paired with the ballet’s libretto text so that you can follow along with story:

The audio track can also be purchased via Mary’s Bandcamp…:

…or streamed via popular streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and more:

“Oh, the OF IT All!” is arranged for a traditional mid-sized ballet orchestra consisting of: 2 flutes (flute + flute/piccolo), 2 oboes (oboe + oboe/English horn), 2 clarinets (clarinet + bass clarinet), 2 bassoons (bassoon + bassoon/contrabassoon), 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones (2 tenor + 1 bass), tuba, timpani, percussion (snare drum, triangle, gong), piano, celesta, harp, and string orchestra.

For booking and inquiries, please contact either composer Mary Bichner ( info [at] marybichner [dot] com ) or librettist John J King ( johnjking80 [at] gmail [dot] com ).

Thank you so much for listening, and Mary and John both hope you enjoy “Oh, the OF It All!”

Live Videos from the Tours, France Edition of “Rencontres Poétiques” Now on YouTube

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Greetings all! Just a heads up that some live videos from the French edition of Christina Goh and Mary Bichner’s Rencontres Poétiques collaborative poetry concert series are now on YouTube!

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This second concert in the series took place at La Salle Jean de Ockeghem in Tours, France on October 22nd, 2022; and featured guest performances by medieval troupe Les Passeurs de Légendes, actress Justine Calais-Gillot, and baroque lyric soprano Betsabée Haas (who very beautifully performed the European premiere of Mary’s aria, “If I Could Live My Life Again”, from the opera “The Memoirs of Antonina“). The set also includes a video for the unreleased “À la seine”, a new musical setting of the Marceline Desbordes-Valmore poem of the same name that Mary composed especially for Rencontres Poétiques, performed as a duet by Mary and Christina:

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For more information on Rencontres Poétiques, you can check out the official info page right here:

 

 

https://www.marybichner.com/rencontrespoetiques/

 

 

Thank you so much for everyone who joined us for this concert, and we look forward to more editions of Rencontres Poétiques in the future! Lots of love and wishing everyone a very happy new year!

“Oh, the OF It All!” Orchestral Recording Coming In Early 2023 + Travelouge Part II: Recording with the Budapest Scoring Orchestra in Budapest, Hungary

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Exciting news! An audio recording of “Oh, the OF It All!“, the ten-minute orchestral ballet that Mary composed for John J King’s stunning libretto about American illustrator/author Edward Gorey (and his fondness for George Balanchine’s years at the New York City Ballet), will be available in early 2023. The piece was recorded late last month by the wonderful Budapest Scoring Orchestra at Rottenbiller Studio in Budapest, Hungary. Here’s a little video clip from the session!:

More info of on “Oh, the OF It All!” (including the orchestral score, the ballet libretto, and a MIDI rendering of the audio) can be found HERE, and an official release date for the recording will be announced in the coming weeks. THANK YOU so much to Balint, Peter, Viktor, Norbert, and the entire Budapest Scoring Orchestra and team for such a fantastic recording session experience!

While in Hungary for the session, Mary was also lucky to have some free time to explore the beautiful city of Budapest. Here are a few photos from her visit!:

Hősök tere (Hero’s Square)
Synesthetic Study: Városliget (City Park) in the Key of G Major (vibrant green, vibrant orange, pale green)
Halászbástya (Fisherman’s Bastion)
Inside the Hungarian State Opera House
Synesthetic Study: Palace District in the Key of C Minor (vibrant yellow, deep jewel-toned blue, grass green)
Cool and colorful wall art in Budapest
The Hungarian Parliament Building

Wishing everyone a wonderful end to your 2022, and looking forward to sharing the new recording for “Oh, the OF It All!” very soon!

Travelogue Part I: “Rencontres Poétiques” Concert October 20th and “Un Autre Angle” Lecture October 22nd in Tours, France

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From October 16th-23rd 2022, Mary was honored to return to the city of Tours, France to perform in the second edition of her international poetry-inspired collaborative concert series with French composer Christina Goh, “Rencontres Poétiques”, at the Salle Jean de Ockeghem; as well as to speak during the “Un Autre Angle” lecture at the Biblioteque de Tours. Both events were presented by the City of Tours as part of France’s annual “Semaines d’information sur la santé mentale“.

Here are some photos from the week!:

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A panorama of Tours from the top of the Biblioteque de Tours – thank you to Madame Gitton and Madame Abdillah of the Biblioteque for sharing this beautiful view!
Inside La Salle Jean de Ockeghem, a former 12th-century abbey turned concert venue, as it is being prepared for “Rencontres Poétiques”.
Mary and Christina with Pascal Brun, Salle de Jean Ockeghem’s wonderful audio and stage lights expert.
Members of the medieval troupe Passeurs de Légendes portray the Goddesses of Art at the beginning of “Rencontres Poétiques”, welcoming audience members to the concert.
Christina and Mary perform Christina’s composition, “Le Prix”.
Lyric soprano Betsabée Haas gorgeously sings the European premiere of “If I Could Live My Life Again”, the final aria in Mary’s forthcoming opera, The Memoirs of Antonina.
LEFT: Passeurs de Légendes actress Bénédicte Gaudon portrays the Goddess Ceridwen / RIGHT: Actress Justine Calais-Gillot recites the Walt Whitman poem, “Tears”.
The artists of “Rencontres Poétiques”: Touraine Edition.
Madame Amirault-Deiss of La Ville de Tours very kindly presenting Mary with a tote bag filled with Tours-themed memorabilia — THANK YOU so much to Madame Amirault-Deiss and all of her colleagues at La Ville de Tours for this very thoughtful gesture and warm welcome!
Christina Goh speaks during the “Un Autre Angle” conference at the Biblioteque de Tours, alongside Mary and international photographer Yann Layma.
Thank you so much to the amazing Christina Goh for this wonderful week of collaboration in Tours!

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THANK YOU so very much to composer Christina Goh, La Ville de Tours, La Biblioteque de Tours, Les Semaines d’information sur la santé mentale, VIES 37, Nicole Lartigue, Betsabee Haas, Les Passeurs de Légendes, Justine Calais-Gillot, Yann Layma, Pascal Brun, and all of the wonderful people who made this incredible week of collaboration possible. And special thanks to everyone who joined us in the audience for “Rencontres Poétiques” and “Un Autre Angle”!

Merci beaucoup à tous, and hope to see you all again soon! <3

Tickets now available for “Rencontres Poétiques” Concert on October 20th; “Un Autre Angle” Lecture Announced for October 22nd [Tours, France]

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Tickets and complete details are now available for the Tours, France edition of “Rencontres poétiques“; the collaborative poetry-inspired concert series of Mary Bichner and Christina Goh!

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This second concert in the series will take place on Thursday, October 20th 2022 @ 19:15 CET (with a special pre-show multi-sensory experience beginning when doors open @ 18:30 CET) at Le Centre Musical Ockeghem (15 Pl. de Châteauneuf 37000 Tours, France), and will be hosted by the The City of Tours as part of “Semaines d’information sur la santé mentale“. Mary and Christina will perform their settings of famous poems in both French and English, including European premieres from both composers. The concert will also feature special guests baroque lyric soprano Betsabée Haas, medieval troupe Passeurs de Légendes, and poetic association Art et Poésie de Touraine.

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Tickets for the event are free with advance reservation, and can be obtained via the following link:

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https://my.weezevent.com/rencontres-poetiques

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And you can learn more about the concert from the official “Semaines d’information sur la santé mentale” right here:

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https://www.semaines-sante-mentale.fr/event/rencontres-poetiques/

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Additionally, on October 22nd 2022 at 16:30 CET, Mary and Christina will participate with photographer Yann Layma in “Un Autre Angle”, a lecture taking place at the Bibliothèque Centrale de Tours. More information can be found here, on the library’s website:

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http://www.bm-tours.fr/Default/doc/AGENDA/1863/un-autre-angle-avec-mary-bichner-christina-goh-yann-layma

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Wishing everyone a wonderful autumn season, and looking forward to seeing you this October for “Rencontres poétiques“!

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