Solis Dornan's Junior Recital

Solis played his third Oberlin recital on Friday this week, in a program he shared with another junior, a cello student. (Throughout the years, I’ve normally had my juniors play full-length Junior Recitals, but as Conservatory policy requires Junior Recitals to be shared—in an effort to maximize space usage—we can only arrange full-length ones in certain venues and at certain times. In this case, Solis needed to accommodate his family’s travel needs, so he went early and played the customary shared program).

Solis Dorman on stage in Kulas Recital Hall

Solis played a nice balance of the familiar and the arcane, the technically challenging and the musically expressive. Opening with Bach’s iconic Prelude in E, BWV 1006a, he made clear from the outset that he was on his game. The piece went beautifully.

The gentle and charismatic Madrigal-Gavota of Barrios followed, providing a broad stylistic contrast. Next was his major work of the evening, the complete Collectici Intim of Asencio. This work has a wide range of challenges, both technical and interpretive, and Solis proved himself well up to the task. It was captivating.

He closed his recital with Tárrega’s beloved Capricho Arabe.

Solis’ audience so enthusiastic that he felt called to play an encore. He sat down for a brilliant rendition of Rodrigo’s virtuosic Preludio. The audience loved it.

Solis and Marina, and his family