Sherman | Petcu duo
Viola and percussion, with Nathan Sherman.
Nathan Sherman (viola) and Alex Petcu (percussion) are two musicians who have a similar interest in contemporary music, working with composers and the creation of new music. The collaboration began with a number of performances of the seminal work, Naturale by Luciano Berio. Realising that the options were quite limited for this instrumental combination, the duo have commissioned a range of works, adding a substantial amount of repertoire for viola and percussion.
The duo's debut album, Totemic, was released on the Ergodos label and features their first piece, Berio's Naturale, as well as three newly commissioned works from Ian Wilson, Kate Moore and Benedict Schlepper-Connolly. Their second album, Archetypes, released on the Diatribe label, features 5 more compositions based on Jung's archetypes. These include pieces by Ann Cleare, Ben Dwyer, Nick Roth and Siobhán Cleary that were commissioned with support from the Arts Council of Ireland. Nathan's own piece also features on this album.
The duo have also commissioned a major work by Kevin Volans, "y Escucho a los Muertos con mis Ojos", which had its premiere as part of Music for Galway's 2025/26 season.
Repertoire (so far)
- y Escucho a los Muertos con mis Ojos - Kevin Volans (*)
- Sophia x Bythos - Nick Roth (*)
- Laganton - Ben Dwyer (*)
- gravity dreams iv - Ann Cleare (*)
- Cauldron of Morning - Nathan Sherman
- Naturale - Luciano Berio
- One Thing I Know - Benedict Schlepper-Connolly (*)
- Totemic - Ian Wilson (*)
- Crucible - Kate Moore (*)
- Encuentro - Kevin O'Connell (*)
- Twister - Ed Bennett (*)
- Scheherazade - Siobhán Cleary (*)
- Arboreal - Áine Mallon (*)
- Dialogue - Rebecca Saunders
- Three Taghs - Tigran Mansurian
- Apparitions II - Ian Wilson (**)
(*) Commissioned by the duo
(**) Adapted for the duo