Francis Vidil to Give Organ Improvisation Concert

February 1, 2007

French pianist and organist Francis Vidil will give one of a kind concert of improvisation on Sunday, February 18 at 2 p.m. in Esber Recital Hall, Music Building I.

Francis Vidil enjoys interacting with the audience and welcomes being given some themes on which to improvise. The themes could be musical - either a particular work or the style of a composer - or philosophical, political, humorous, related to the Arts in general including fashion, perfume literature or food. Francis would like the audience to share with him the emotion of a musical voyage without attach.

At the opening of a concert Vidil will typically make a short presentation of different facets of improvisation and styles from the Baroque era to Keith Jarrett. In addition to improvising on both organ and piano, either separately or at the same time, Francis Vidil will play organ and trumpet all by himself. As the clothes designer Nino Cerruti stated " Francis you are the most amazing artist and friend."

Francis Vidil has been trained as both pianist and organist. He is professor of piano at the Versailles Conservatory and recently received a chair of improvisation at this Institution. His career - more than 500 concerts worldwide - started when he won the first international prize of improvisation at the Lyon Festival in 1983 and another first Prize at the International competition in Montbrison in 1995. Vidil is the only musician who received both prizes. He has made numerous recordings that will be available during his concert.

We're making an effort to start our concerts on time. For ticketed events especially in Eisenhower Auditorium, please plan to arrive early to purchase your ticket. Tickets for all our Eisenhower concerts are available by calling 814-863-0255 or
1-800-ARTS-TIX, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or visit the web at www.cpa.psu.edu.

For a complete listing of all concerts and recitals, please visit http://www.events.psu.edu and choose music performance events.

Contact: Candace Bishop cjb289@psu.edu