SFA faculty to present violin sonatas
NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - All three of Johannes Brahms' violin sonatas will be performed by Stephen F. Austin State University music faculty members Jennifer Dalmas, violin, and Ron Petti, piano, at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 7, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.
"'Sonata No. 1 in G Major,' 'Sonata No. 2 in A Major' and 'Sonata No. 3 in D minor' are considered staples of the Romantic chamber music repertoire and are played often," said Dalmas. "It's rare to hear all three performed at the same time, though!" she continued.
The first was composed in 1879, and like the other two, was written for Brahms' friend Joseph Joachim. The first and second sonatas share a similar lyrical mood.
The third sonata, however, is written in a stormy key and has four movements instead of the regulation three, Dalmas explained. "It is much more a work designed for public consumption than the intimacies of the works in the first two."
Dalmas joined the SFA faculty as an assistant professor in 2003 and also serves as the concertmaster of the Orchestra of the Pines. While pursuing her master's and doctoral degrees from Florida State University, she performed with the Tallahassee, Jacksonville and New World Symphonies in Florida.
She has performed as a soloist and with orchestras in the United States and Europe. As part of the Promising Artists of the 21st Century program, she has given recitals and master classes in the United States and Central America
Petti, associate professor of music, joined the SFA faculty in 1999. As SFA's director of accompanying, he teaches courses and applied lessons in piano accompanying and is the accompanist for many ongoing events in the School of Music, including choral ensembles, opera productions, student recitals, and faculty and guest artist recitals. Petti also coaches graduate and undergraduate vocal majors at SFA.
Petti's bachelor's degree from Heidelberg College and master's from Bowling Green State University are both in piano performance. His Doctorate of Music from Florida State University is in piano performance/chamber music and accompanying.
The recital is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Music. Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students. For tickets or more information, please call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.