FUAIM Concert: Nathan Sherman (viola) & Alex Petcu (percussion) , 3rd March, 1.10pm, Aula Maxima

3 Mar 2023

"Shades and Half Lights" (PRS Beyond Borders Tour) 

Programme 

Premieres of works by Nick Roth, Áine Mallon, Ed Bennett, and Kevin O'Connell, as well as works by Kate Moore. 

Nathan Sherman 

A native of the USA, Nathan Sherman lives in Dublin, Ireland where he enjoys a versatile career as a violist. He studied at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Royal Academy of Music and the Escuela Superior de Musica Catalunya where he received First Class Honours. He is equally at home performing historically informed music, contemporary and chamber music. He performs regularly with the period ensembles Irish Baroque Orchestra, Ensemble Marsyas and Camerata Killkenny, and contemporary groups Evlana, Crash Ensemble and Kirkos. He is in demand as a chamber and orchestral musician, and is Artistic Director of Ficino Ensemble. He plays regularly with Camerata Ireland, the RTE Orchestras, Ulster Orchestra, European Union Chamber Orchestra, and for several years was a member of the European Union Youth Orchestra. He is especially interested in contemporary music, and premiered Ian Wilson’s Apparitions in Dublin and New York, and recently premiered a solo work for viola by Kevin O’Connell. In 2018 he gave the Irish premiere of Thomas Ades’ Four Quarters with Ficino Ensemble, and recorded a new commission by Garrett Sholdice. Nathan plays a fine viola made by Joseph Curtin and a bow made by Gary Leahy 

Alex Petcu 

An Irish musician of Romanian origin, Alex is quickly establishing himself both nationally and internationally as a percussionist of the finest calibre. His recent appearances as a soloist with both RTE orchestras the Irish Chamber Orchestra are some of his main highlights so far. His debut album, "Alex Petcu: In Time", released on the RTE lyric fm label, showcases both seminal works and new contributions to the percussion repertoire. 

An active freelance musician, Alex performs with a wide variety of ensembles and in a range of settings. He regularly performs with the Crash and Hard Rain ensembles, two of Ireland's main contemporary groups, and the various professional orchestras in Ireland. He is also heavily involved in the creation of new music and regularly works with composers. Recent projects include "Beats, Bells and Bridges" a collaboration with composer, Tom Lane and "Invitation to a Journey", a dance/theatre/music collaboration with music by Deirdre Gribbin. 

Aside from his performing activities, he is also a keen teacher and currently teaches percussion at the CIT Cork School of Music. He holds an MA in music performance, and an MSc and BSc in Physics.