SALEM CLASSICAL: Mirror Visions Ensemble

Salem Classical 2017/2018 Season Mirror Visions Ensemble (MVE) was founded from a desire to explore the relationship between music and text, initially through the creation of “mirror visions” — settings of the same text to music by different composers. The group's passion for storytelling has produced thematic concerts on surprising subjects, based on scholarly research and laced with humor, leading to the revitalization of art song programming. Featuring soprano, tenor, baritone and piano, often joined by other instrumentalists, MVE’s programs take audiences on an imaginative journey through song, showcasing both well-known and oft-neglected pieces, set to texts by poets and historical figures. Now in its 26th season, Mirror Visions Ensemble has fostered the work of new composers through the commissioning of over 85 works by 28 composers. The ensemble has presented its programs, residencies, and masterclasses both in the U.S. and abroad at concert halls, schools, libraries, and museums such as Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Merkin Concert Hall at the Kaufman Music Center, Le Poisson Rouge, California State University at Fullerton, University of Southern California, New York University, Yale University, and France’s Musée Carnavalet, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, and American University of Paris. MVE’s concerts are often free and open to the public, continuing the ensemble’s tradition of providing access to the arts. Founder Tobé Malawista was named Chevalier of the Legion of Honor in 2008. MVE’s discography includes Américain à Paris (Albany 2003), Secrets (Albany 2004), Cosmic and Domestic Matters (Albany 2008), and The Three-Paneled Mirror (Centaur 2015). "Of Beasts and Brutes" With the 1945 publication of George Orwell's Animal Farm came an awareness that human and animal traits that might emerge in an uprising against totalitarianism. Of Beasts and Brutes playfully and seriously shines light on pigs, horses, and dogs, with a few insects and fish thrown into the mix. The songs also reference animalized brutes since the early Romans, up to and including modern times. Additionally, Ukainian translations of Russian favorites by Glinka, Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff will be offered. Vira Slywotzky, soprano Scott Murphree, tenor Mischa Bouvier, baritone Margaret Kampmeier, piano