Petrowska Quilico is widely recognized as an innovative and adventurous musician, and a leading interpreter of contemporary and Canadian repertoire. True to form, she will present an eclectic, exciting program for solo piano that brings together cutting-edge new music with overtones of rock, jazz and a touch of pop.

The concert will feature two firsts: the world premiere of a five-part composition written for Petrowska Quilico by Canadian composer David Jaeger, and the first Canadian performance of Japanese composer Masamitsu Takahashi's jazz-infused Capriccio for Piano. 

Also on the program are two provocative selections from 16 Portraits: Romantic Etudes by the late Quebecois composer Michel-Georges Brégent, plus works by two of Petrowska Quilico's York University colleagues: a suite for solo piano by rags and boogie-woogie wizard William Westcott, and three pieces for piano by noted saxophonist and composer David Mott.

Two of the works by Mott and both Brégent pieces were originally premiered by Petrowska Quilico.

A prolific concert and recording artist, Petrowska Quilico has debuted more than 100 works, many written especially for her. She has collaborated with long list of eminent international and Canadian composers, including Violet Archer, Pierre Boulez, Glenn Buhr, John Cage, Christos Hatzis, Lowell Lieberman, Alexina Louie, R. Murray Schafer, Krzysztof Penderecki and Karlheinz Stockhausen. 

“It’s a great honour to be entrusted with a premiere,” said Petrowska Quilico. “But it’s also a tremendous challenge.

“New works often live or die based on the first performance. So when I’m introducing a new piece to the public, I feel a huge responsibility to both the composer and the audience. It’s a three-way dynamic. Together, we’re bringing a new work into the world. Hopefully, it will become part of the active repertoire and be played and heard again and again.”

Petrowska Quilico has performed with most new music groups and chamber ensembles in Canada, as well as many outstanding orchestras including the Toronto and Winnipeg Symphony Orchestras and the National Arts Centre Orchestra. Her concert tours, both as soloist and with her late husband, the Metropolitan Opera baritone Louis Quilico, have taken her across four continents. On the recital stage, her appearances include prestigious New York City venues such as Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall and Merkin Concert Hall. She has more than 20 recordings to her credit, including her world premiere performances of Ann Southam’s Rivers on a three-CD set for the Centrediscs label.

Petrowska Quilico’s recital will take place Thurs. Jan. 18 at 7:30 pm in the Recital Hall in the Accolade East Building at York University’s Keele campus. Admission is $15, and $5 for students. Box Office: www.yorku.ca/perform or 416.736.5888.

The Faculty Recital Series is a new feature in the annual season of public events presented by York University’s music department. The series comprises four concerts spotlighting faculty musicians. Upcoming performances in the series will showcase clarinetist Patricia Wait on February 22, and pianist Casey Sokol, a specialist in contemporary improvisation, on March 8.

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For interviews, hi-res image or program details please contact:

Mary-Lou Schagena 416.736.2100 ext. 20421  /  schagena@yorku.ca

Brigitte Kleer 416.736.2100 ext. 77143  /  bkleer@yorku.ca

Communications, Faculty of Fine Arts, York University