March 24, 2022 | Detroit March 25, 2022 | Ann Arbor
Listening for Bells is a 30 to 40-minute exploration of minimalism at the intersection of composition and improvisation. The piece was commissioned by and written for Virago by Harriet Steinke. In this work, Steinke plays into the number four: on a macro level there are four parts to the piece, and on a micro level each part is made up of four cells containing phrases for each player to perform at the timing they choose. The instructions pertain to the frequency of the events. They are the same for the parts and the cells: “most of the time”, “sometimes,” “rarely”, and “when you hear bells.” To bring this ambiguous score to life, Virago digs into their roots as chamber musicians and improvisers to create a new version of the piece each time it is played. The result is a journey of peaks and valleys, waxing and waning, rising and falling, ebbing and flowing. You are invited to join the players on this ride.
Virago is joined by friends Michael Malis on piano and Dominic Bieringa on bass clarinet for this performance.
Listening for Bells EP was recorded at Big Sky Recordings in Ann Arbor, MI on September 26th, 2021. Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Josef Deas. Available January 7th, 2022 for download on Bandcamp and streaming on Spotify and Apple Music. Limited quantity of CDs will be available for purchase.
Dominic Bierenga, bass clarinet
Sofia Carbonara, vibraphone and percussion
BethAnne Kunert, alto saxophone
Michael Malis, piano
Meg Rohrer, violin
Wesley Hornpetrie, cello
Imperfect Intervals by Michael Malis is a meditation on self-acceptance. Emergent sonic structures reveal themselves, like a river carving out its own path. Released by 1473 Records in July 2021 and recorded during a mad two weeks in October/November 2020, the nine pieces on the record are documents of an improvisational process that prioritizes resonance, generous listening, and imperfection.
$10 at the door