Reflecting on violist Cornelia Petroiu

On February 14, 2015, at the Romanian Athenaeum, violist Cornelia Petroiu gave the world of music a Valentine's gift sweeter than a box of chocolate, more profound than a bouquet of flowers, and of greater value than a diamond: Fifteen-Minutes-of-Fame: CLASSIGARD, Cornelia Petroiu, viola, Ms. Petroiu's brilliant concept of connecting two significantly different views of music composition: the traditional/CLASSical with the new/avant GARD.

This idea isn't new, but the unique way that it is presented with the works selected according to Cornelia Petroiu's specifications in the call-for-scores for "From classical to avant-garde music: switching abruptly from one style to another; surprisingly unstable music. Each piece can incorporate different styles or stay within one specific style, thereby leaving the performer to blend the music into the set of 15 in the CLASSIGARD style!" positions these 2 seemingly opposite compositional trajectories in an alignment that magically opens doors to other musical dimensions.

Cornelia Petroiu boldly navigates these new territories with endless energy, skill, and passion.

From the opening piece, Ms. Petroiu demonstrates her agility to slither between sound-scapes while avoiding the temptation to settle in throughout American composer Travis Kneisly’s “Monomer.” Without losing steam, Cornelia Petroiu tackles French composer Jean-Pierre Vial’s “Serial Triller” never letting the listener become focused on the chromatic serial elements and instead focused on the “thrill” of the this trill-filled journey.

One notices the consistency of the excellence of the viola playing, with Ms. Petroiu pouring 100% into each piece. When we are offered the strikingly energetic “Indecision” by Portuguese composer José Jesus de Azevedo Souza, we realize that this performer has an even deeper well of resources to draw from!

With South African composer Dawid Boverhoff’s “Pencil” we learn the magic of Ms. Petroiu’s right hand technique: as mesmerizing to watch as it is to hear. She produces a rainbow of colors with such virtuosity that is a true delight.

The set of 15 works concludes with Robert Lopez’ “I'm Sick of Avant Garde” with the composer’s direction “With a look of confusion and contempt” on a particularly tricky section in 15/16 time at 150bpm, followed by “With a look of relief” as the tempo descends to a manageable 68bpm and with a consonant and Bach inspired finale. Mr. Lopez’ notes: ”This piece is intended to be performed with an overall skeptical demeanor, especially during the jaggedly performed sections, as if the performer were slightly judgmental of the composer.” After hearing Cornelia Petroiu’s World Premiere of Fifteen-Minutes-of-Fame: CLASSIGARD, we are fully aware that this performer isn’t “sick” of any music and truly committed to finding beauty in every bowing regardless of what label the music may be given. This is clearly why Vox Novus Festival-Romania Founder & Director, Professor Serban Nichifor describes, “Cornelia Petroiu is considered the most important violist in Romania. She is dedicated to contemporary music. Her repertoire is extremely rich, and includes creations of great value.”

Listen for yourself at: www.Fifteen-Minutes-of-Fame.com/video

Composer, guitarist, educator, filmmaker, Artistic Director of the Composer's Voice Concert Series, and Premiere Salon Concerts, Douglas DaSilva is dedicated to promoting the music of living composers. His “Stabat Serban” was performed at the George Enescu Festival by cellist Maestro Serban Nichifor. His “Rondellhund” was performed by Bateira Trio at Carnegie Hall. His extensive work with children keeps him sane; giving him the opportunity to share his love for music with future generations.

Vox Novus is pleased to announce the selections for Fifteen-Minutes-of-Fame with The Mosaic Trio.

Works selected for this Fifteen Minutes of Fame include:
Cooler Heads by Daniel Arnold,
Parallel Structure by David Bohn,
Istampitta by Erik Branch,
Valse Triste by Scott Brickman,
Waiting For The Rain by Inna Buganina,
Mascara by Jean-Charles Gooden,
Quasi Brazilian by Cindi Hsu,
Three Views of a Mosaic by Laszlo Kékszakállú,
Chaconne by Douglas Madison,
Shore Breeze by Martin Neil,
When You Come Back by Yan Pang,
Aglutinación by Juan Maria Solare,
Scorpio by José Jesus de Azevedo Souza,
Cherry Street by Max Stannard, and
Clouding of Logic by Chace Williams

Mosaic Trio

OANA VIŞENESCU – violin EMIL VIŞENESCU - clarinet DIANA SPÂNU-DĂNILĂ – piano

Mosaic Trio was founded in 1994 and has benefited from the guidance of cellist Wolfgang Laufer, a member of the Quartet "Fine Arts" (US). The band participated in the International Music Festival in Piatra Neamt, the "Days of Eugene Ionesco" in Slatina, and the Festival of Young Musicians in Baia Mare. Mosaic Trio participated in international chamber music competition "UFAM" in Paris and held a concert in the contest and festival "Orpheus Prijs" in Antwerp (Belgium). The activity is conducted trio concert halls both in Romania and in Europe, including the latest concert tours are found: one in Switzerland in 2009.

OANA SPÂNU-VIŞENESCU was born in 1969; she majored in violin at the National University of Music Bucharest, prof. Daniel Podlovschi in 1994, followed a year of postgraduate studies. • In the fall violinist participation in summer courses, achieving national awards - Contest "Mihail Jora" - and international - Stresa, Isola Capri (Italy). • Since 1994 works at the National University of Music Bucharest, currently the lecturer the chair of chamber music. • Between 2000 and 2002 followed a period of training at the Conservatory of Neuchatel (Switzerland) class teacher Denitsa Kazakova. Iin followed a course parallel viola with prof. Jan Dobrzlewski. • as a violist is a member of the quartet "Arioso". He has numerous appearances in concert and recital, both at home and abroad and has printing on radio, TV and CD.

DIANA SPÂNU-DĂNILĂ was born in 1966 and in 1990 she majored in musicology at the Academy of Music of cowards. • From 1990 to 1997, occupying the Choir Music assistant pianist "Gavriil Musicescu" Philharmonic "Moldova" of leave, with which participates in concerts at home and abroad. • Also, pianist Music assistant is between 1997 and 2001 at the National Operetta Theatre "Ion Dacian" Bucharest and in 2001 the Department of accompanists and music accompaniment High School "George Enescu" in Bucharest. • In addition to piano work - he held numerous concerts and recitals - carries out activity music critic by publishing reviews and articles musicology.

VIŞENESCU EMIL, born in 1969, majored in clarinet at the National University of Music Bucharest, Barbuceanu prof.Valeriu class in 1993. • In the same year a member of the Philharmonic Orchestra "George Enescu". • He attended numerous courses training under the guidance of teachers Stephan Korody, Joseph Balogh, Aurelian Octav Popa, Karl and Walter Boeykens Devster. • Between 2000 and 2002, specializing in conservatory in Biel (Switzerland) under the guidance of Professor Ernesto Molinari. • in Switzerland held concerts and recitals , the scholarship winner "Martha Moser '(2000) and" Tchumi-Preis "in 2002. • operates in concert appearances solo and chamber groups with different compositions in chamber music ensembles.