Young musicians promise a show ‘full of surprises’

The event, being presented by Music for Galway, is based around Naturale, written in 1985 by Luciano Berio for viola, percussion and recorded voice, and based on Sicilian folk songs.

Totemic by Belfast composer Ian Wilson will also feature. It offers a new perspective on the Irish folk tradition and a contrast to the gamelan sounds of One Thing I Know by Dubliner musician and composer Benedict Schlepper-Connolly.

The concert will also include the world premiere of Iarann, a work inspired by St Brigid, written by Dutch-based Australian composer Kate Moore.

Alex Petcu is establishing a reputation at home and abroad for his quality percussion-playing. Irish, of Romanian origin, his work as a soloist with both the RTÉ orchestras and the Irish Chamber Orchestra are among his career highlights His debut album, Alex Petcu: In Time, released on the RTÉ lyric FM label, showcases seminal and new works for percussion.

American-born viola player Nathan Sherman, who now lives in Dublin, has been fascinated by the viola since childhood and has dedicated his life to exploring this instrument. The versatile composer and musician regularly collaborates with other composers and with Alex, with whom he has performed throughout Ireland.

Nathan has recorded and broadcast with the Crash and Kirkos ensembles, with the contemporary orchestra Evlana and with the record label, Ergodos, and has premiered works by Irish composers. He has also written several works for viola and for mixed ensembles.

Tickets for Thursday’s concert cost €20 / €18 concession.  For fulltime students of all ages, the cost is €6. For MfG Friends it’s €16.

More information for musicforgalway.ie or 091 705962.