Listening for Bells

In 2019, we commissioned Detroit-based composer Harriet Steinke to write a piece for Virago.  Listening for Bells  is the result.

The piece is structured in four parts: A, B, C, and D. The parts can be played in any order, repeated, stand alone, or even blended together. Each comprises four cells containing phrases for each player to perform at the timing they choose. The four cells bear the same instructions as the four parts: play “most of the time,” “sometimes,” “rarely,” or “when you hear bells.” The result is a macro form that is a fractal of the micro.

We refer to this as our “musical sandbox” — Listening for Bells is communal, playful, exploratory, sometimes gritty, and free.

Two years later, we are proud to release Listening for Bells as Virago’s debut studio recording. As we have grown as individuals and as an ensemble, so has our interpretation of this piece. The process of recording was collective composition; we discovered tens of variations of each part and chose our path through them, resulting in the version enclosed. As time passes and our growth continues, let this recording serve as a snapshot — a sonic image of us in this moment.

We are joined by our friends Michael Malis and Dominic Bierenga 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.  Released January 7th, 2022 for download on Bandcamp and streaming on Spotify and Apple Music. Limited quantity of CDs available for purchase on Bandcamp. 

BethAnne Kunert, alto saxophone

Meg Rohrer, violin

Wesley Hornpetrie, cello

Sofia Carbonara, vibraphone and percussion

Dominic Bierenga, bass clarinet

Michael Malis, piano