Visions & Dreams

May 29, 2026: Shiner

Composer Sarah Kirkland Snider writes music of direct expression and vivid narrative that has been noted for its evocative, layered atmospheres, attention to detail, and unique soundworld identifiably her own. With an ear for the poetic and the architectural, Snider’s music draws upon a variety of influences to render a nuanced command of immersive storytelling.

Pre-save / Pre-order: Vol. 1

As a DJ, composer and curator, Mason Bates has become a visible advocate for bringing new music to new spaces. “Life of Birds” consists of six short movements, each a miniature study of life in an aviary. The somewhat unusual instrumentation of two winds and two strings is ideally suited to capture the wide variety of expression from a multitude of birdsongs.

Pre-save / Pre-order: Vol. 2

June 26, 2026:

The first volume of Visions & Dreams captures the spirit of invention and discovery that has defined Art of Elan since 2007. It functions as a "sonic journey" rooted in play and experimentation, opening with Paul Wiancko’s Toy Bricks, which establishes a sense of joy and forward motion and invites listeners into a world where structure and spontaneity coexist. The first half of the retrospective explores the emergence of identity through diverse cultural lenses, such as Chen Yi’s Sprout, and Michael Oesterle’s Parlour Games, where musical form itself is reimagined and reshaped. Across these works, sound behaves as something tactile and alive — shaped by curiosity, vulnerability, and creative risk.

As the journey progresses, the music expands in color and perspective exploring unexpected textures and improvisatory conversations. Works like Reena Esmail’s Nadiya and Sarah Kirkland Snider’s Shiner showcase how contrasting timbres and global influences—from Hindu ragas to modern ensemble blends—can create a "transportive" sound world. Nahre Sol’s Crossroads reveal unexpected landscapes and moments of transformation, while Ljova’s Vjola Suite brings the journey to an energetic close, weaving together dances that feel both rooted and newly invented. Together, these works establish the ensemble’s foundational ethos: liberating classical music from traditional confines and treating the stage as a laboratory for community and creative risk.

The second volume shifts the focus inward, moving from the playful energy of discovery toward a contemplative look at memory, landscape, and the passage of time.Through Mason Bates’s Life of Birds and Juhi Bansal’s Trail of Stars, listeners encounter celestial perspectives that illuminate fleeting moments and the fragility of nature. Gabriela Ortiz’s Exilios introduces themes of displacement and resilience, while Jessie Montgomery’s Peace provides a quiet, intimate response to uncertainty, balancing stillness with emotional depth. Across these works, the music invites a more contemplative mode of listening, emphasizing atmosphere, contrast, and emotional nuance.

In its final arc, the disc explores continuity, transformation, and personal history. Michi Wiancko’s Island in the Sky evokes landscape and geological time, while Aftab Darvishi’s Daughters of Sol unfolds as a mysterious meditation on change and return. The album closes with Kian Ravaei’s Family Photos, a collection of musical snapshots that capture memory as a form of composition that evolves with perspective. Together, these pieces form a deep narrative and solidifies Art of Elan’s mission to foster "shared humanity," reminding listeners to remain curious about other cultures and the enduring power of collaborative art.