Mary Bichner is an American orchestral composer with synesthesia — a neurological condition that allows her to “see” splashes of specific colors when she hears their corresponding pitches sounded.
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Hollywood Piano Composer Contest Win and January 2026 Premiere for "quick sparrows"
December 10, 2025
( Image: The "EFTA Suite" album cover, featuring a photo by Nikos Alexopoulos )
Mary is honored that her 2025 string quartet work, "quick sparrows / ὤκεες στροῦθοι" was named one of the twelve winners of the Hollywood Piano Composers' Chamber Music Concert Contest. The piece will receive its live premiere on January 24th 2026 at Hollywood Piano's concert venue in Pasedena, CA, USA (more details will be made available soon).
"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.
Movement II, "quick sparrows / ὤκεες στροῦθοι", is a sprightly allegro vivace which illustrates a pair of small birds inquisitively hopping around the patio table of a colorful, fruit-laden breakfast. The piece 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, and wishing everyone happy holidays and a wonderful new year!
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