J. Braga Santos: Alfama Suite / Symphonic Overture No. 3 / Elegia a Viana da Mota Royal Scottish National Orchestra & Álvaro Cassuto

• 1 Symphonic Overture No. 3, Op. 20 13:53
• 2 Elegia a Viana da Mota (Elegy in memory of Vianna da Motta), Op. 14 13:38
• 3 I. Introduction 02:54
• 4 II. Dance of the sailor 03:11
• 5 III. Pas de trois 03:47
• 6 IV. Dance of the fishwives 01:17
• 7 V. Dance of the fishwife and the longshoreman 02:20
• 8 VI. Dance of the girls of the neighbourhood 02:14
• 9 VII. Dance of the boys and girls who fill the square 02:48
• 10 VIII. Dance of the girls around the fire 02:08
• 11 IX. Final dance 04:05
• 12 Variations for Orchestra, Op. 49 12:53
• 13 No. 1. Allegro 02:54
• 14 No. 2. Lento 04:32
• 15 No. 3. Allegro 03:22
• Total Runtime 01:15:56

Info zu J. Braga Santos: Alfama Suite / Symphonic Overture No. 3 / Elegia a Viana da Mota

Joly Braga Santos composed in a wide variety of forms, faithfully mirrored in this selection of his highly appealing music. The Elegy was written for his famous compatriot, the pianist Vianna da Motta, whilst the Symphonic Overture No. 3 utilises his own brand of folkloric material. Braga Santos’ Three Symphonic Sketches offer colouristic virility, full of supercharged rhythmic energy. The Variations for Orchestra reflects a compositional change, more elusive but highly subtle, and Alfama is a delightful ballet score. ‘Don’t miss this one!’ wrote ClassicsToday of Álvaro Cassuto’s recording of the Second Symphony on Marco Polo 8.225216.

'Those readers who have enjoyed the prior Braga Santos releases will not need much prodding to seek out this latest one. However, for those yet to encounter his music, this is probably not the best place to start. I might also add that if you appreciate the music of, say, Respighi and Hanson, I can pretty well guarantee that the music of Braga Santos will appeal to you. The reason that I can make such statements is that Braga Santos had a very distinctive and consistent musical personality…This is music that would appeal to thousands of people if they knew it existed. In fact, I would love to be present were a live performance to take place, just to observe the audience reaction.

The selections offered here range across much of Braga Santos’s composing career. The earliest is the Elegy in Memory of Vianna da Motta, composed in 1948. This is a beautiful, heartfelt threnody inspired by the death of a well-known Portuguese pianist. There is an exotic aspect suggestive of antiquity, as filtered through a ripe, intensely post-Romantic sensibility, somewhat along the lines of Respighi.

Symphonic Overture No. 3…is instantly recognizable as Braga Santos, with its soaring, long-breathed melodies…

…Álvaro Cassuto is deeply familiar with Braga Santos’s music, and has become its most eloquent champion. Here he leads the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in performances that are proficient and wholly sympathetic, capturing the spirit of the music with enthusiasm. I strongly urge Naxos to continue to bring to light the creative fruits of this fascinating, inspiring, and long-overlooked figure.' (Walter Simmons, Fanfare, July 2012)

Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Álvaro Cassuto, conductor

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Booklet für J. Braga Santos: Alfama Suite / Symphonic Overture No. 3 / Elegia a Viana da Mota