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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 music 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!