Joly Braga Santos: Complete Chamber Music, Volume Three
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, often infused with the spirit of Portuguese folk-dance.
António Saiote (clarinet)
Leonor Braga Santos (viola)
Carolino Carreira (bassoon)
Nuno Ivo Cruz (flute)
Catherine Strynckx (cello)
Irene Lima (cello)
LuÃs Pacheco Cunha (violin)
Olga Prats (piano)
Listen To This Recording:
- Aria a Tre con Variazione, Op. 62, for clarinet, viola and piano (1984)*
- Improviso, Op. 70, for clarinet and piano (1988)*
- Aria I, for bassoon and piano (1946)*
- Piece for Flute and Piano*
- Aria I, Op. 2, for cello and piano (1943)
- Tema e Variações, Op. 12, for cello and piano (1948)*
- Canção (Song), for viola and piano (1971)*
- Aria II, Op. 57, for cello and piano (1977)
- Melodia, for cello and piano (1987)*
- Nocturno, Op. 1, for violin and piano (1942)
*FIRST RECORDINGS
First Complete Recording
MusicWeb International :
‘This third volume of Braga Santos’ chamber music is yet another most welcome addition to the discography of this composer, whose large and varied output is now available on disc thanks to Toccata, Marco Polo and Naxos. […] Their [the musicians] immaculate playing and whole-hearted commitment do this warmly expressive music full justice.’
—Hubert Culot, MusicWeb International
MusicWeb International :
‘There is much varied chamber music to be savoured in this third and final, finely recorded chamber music volume. It’s played with ardour and eloquence by all eight performers, one of whom is Braga Santos’s viola-playing daughter, Leonor, who gave the world premiere of the Aria a Tre con Variazione. With the usual expert booklet notes, this release ends the three-disc series on a high.’
—Jonathan Woolf, MusicWeb International