Joly Braga Santos: Complete Chamber Music, Volume One
Joly Braga Santos (1924–88) was one of the most important composers in twentieth- century Portugal. In his early works his fondness for modal harmony, absorbed from the Portuguese masters of the Renaissance, and his busy counterpoint combine to make him sound surprisingly close to such particularly English composers as Vaughan Williams and Moeran. Although his harmonic language became more astringent with time, it retained a burly sense of humour and a powerful charge of energy.
Quarteto Lopes-Graça
Luís Pacheco Cunha, violin
Maria José Laginha, violin
Isabel Pimentel, viola
Catherine Strynckx, cello
Leonor Braga Santos, viola (Tracks 8–10)
Irene Lima, cello (Tracks 8–10)
Listen To This Recording:
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String Quartet No. 1 in D minor, Op. 4 (1945)
- I Allegro moderato
- II Allegro con fuoco
- III Andante tranquillo
- IV Allegro molto energico ed appassionato
- I Largo – Allegro moderato
- II Adagio molto – Andante con moto
- III Largo – Allegro molto vivace
- I Molto largo
- II Allegro ben marcato, ma non troppo
- III Andante – Allegro
String Quartet No. 2, Op. 27 (1957)
String Sextet, Op. 65 (1986)
FIRST COMPLETE RECORDINGS
MusicWeb International :
‘This is an excellent start to another series from this exploratory label. The performances are as idiomatic and generous as one could hope for and the notes finely argued. […]. In any case, I can’t really imagine anyone impervious to Braga-Santos’s warmth and wisdom.’
—Jonathan Woolf, MusicWeb International
Gramophone :
‘Joly Braga Santos (1924 88) was one of the most important Portuguese composers of the 20th century and it is excellent that this fine recording, with international distribution, has appeared. […]
All three works are superbly performed, with energy and true passion. The booklet includes a biographical note by the composer’s eldest daughter, Piedade Braga Santos, and an excellent analytical essay by Bernardo Mariano. I look forward to future volumes with keen anticipation.’
—Ivan Moody, Gramophone
Classics Today :
‘Artistic Quality: 9
Sound Quality: 9
Toccata Classics has amassed an exceptional catalog of interesting and neglected repertoire, and this appealing release certainly fills that bill. […]
The performances by the Quarteto Lopes-Graça (and friends) are totally committed as well as timbrally pleasing, and they are very well recorded. I look forward to further volumes in this series.’
—David Hurwitz, Classics Today