November 09, 2010

Faculty member presents all-viola performance

by Andrea Hahn

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Aurélian Pétillot flies solo during a musical performance at Southern Illinois University Carbondale on Wednesday, Nov. 10.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Old Baptist Foundation Recital Hall. Admission is free.

Pétillot , a member of the faculty in the School of Music, presents “Soulful Soliloquies,” an all-viola performance. The program highlights works Pétillot described as “dauntingly virtuosic” and “hauntingly ecstatic,” including Stravinsky’s “Elegy,” Zoltán Kodály’s interpretation of Bach’s “Chromatic Fantasy.” Other works by composers Casimer Ney, Lillian Fuchs, Miklós Rósza, Alan Hovhaness and Quincey Porter complete the evening.

Pétillot noted that his faculty recital performances typically include other musicians and other instruments as well. He said he is “embracing the challenges and thrills of presenting an all-solo performance” this time.

The performance doubles as a CD release celebration. “Florilegium,” is the first of a series of performances of Viola By Choice, a chamber ensemble Pétillot formed to promote the viola, an instrument he said is “too often concealed.” The CD features works by Paganini, Brahms, Ravel, Debussy, and world premiere recordings from contemporary composers.

For more information about the CD, see www.cdbaby.com/cd/violabychoice. For more information about the SIUC School of Music, visit http://music.siuc.edu.