Victor Romanul & Michael Zaretsky Release 'Duos For Violin And Viola'

Boston, MA. (Top 40 Charts/ Boston Symphony Orchestra) - Boston Symphony Orchestra members Victor Romanul, violin, and Michael Zaretsky, viola, have released a new two- disc CD on the Artona label, featuring the world premiere recording of John William's Duo Concertante, which was written for and dedicated to Michael Zaretsky. The CD, recorded at the historic Symphony Hall in Boston, MA, also includes works by Aaron Copland, Louis Spohr, Bohuslav Martin., Jakov Jakoulov and Alessandro Rolla. Released on the Artona label, Duos for Violin and Viola is available for $39.95 at the Symphony Hall Shop. A complete track listing is included at the end of this press release.

Duos for Violin and Viola features works from a variety of eras through the hands of some of the greatest composers, due, in part, to the challenge and limitations of writing for this particular combination of instruments. Louis Spohr's Duo for violin and viola, and Alessandro Rolla's Duo concertant in C, contribute some of the earliest works on the recording, while Jakov Jakoulov's Chant IV and John Williams' Duo Concertant are world premiere recordings and recent works, both written for Mr. Zaretsky and Mr. Romanul.

Williams' Duo Concertant was partly triggered by the composer's attendance at a chamber concert in Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood in 1997, during which Romanul and Zaretsky performed Martin.'s Three Madrigals (also featured on this recording). Talking with William's afterward, Zaretsky suggested casually that the composer write his own duo for the two players. The piece came to fruition in 2006, and was premiered on August 17, 2007, in Ozawa Hall.

Jakoulov's Chant IV for violin and viola premiered at Symphony Hall in May 2006. The piece is part of a series of five string duos, a cycle beginning with a piece for two double basses and ending with a piece for two violins.