Lopes-Gra¿¿a: Divertimento; Sinfonieta; 5 Velhos Romances Portugueses; 4 Inven¿¿¿¿es

by Bruno Borralhinho, Portuguese Symphony Orchestra

Overview

The Naxos label's various series devoted to neglected regional traditions have unearthed some gems, and so it is here with this collection of works by Portuguese composer Fernando Lopes-Graca (1906-1994). His music has occasionally been recorded but is not well known outside Portugal. Lopes-Graca has been called the Portuguese Bartok, and indeed, he does use folkloristic melodic materials, mostly of his own composition, but this does not cover it. He brings his folk materials into juxtapositions with neoclassic structures and modernist rhythmic influences, resulting in works that, although light, are entirely distinctive, and he did it all while under persecution for much of his career from Portugal's fascist Estado Novo regime. Dive into the Divertimento, Op. 107, with its wind-dominant scoring, where straightforward classical structures immediately run into thorny rhythmic difficulties (try the Coral, or chorale, movement). Even more delightful is the Sinfonieta, Op. 220 ("Homenagem a Haydn"), which mostly is an homage in spirit until it jolts the listener with an actual quotation. The final Four Invencoes for solo cello, Op. 148, played by conductor Bruno Borralhinho, dispense with tonality but retain the composer's personality in full; these pieces receive their recorded premieres here. The performances throughout are sprightly and clean, and the listener is apt to be left with the conclusion that Lopes-Graca is a major 20th century composer who does not fit any of the usual categories. ~ James Manheim

Product Details

Release Date:	06/10/2022
Label:	Naxos
UPC:	0747313437375
Rank:	176097

Tracks

1. Divertimento, Op. 107~I. Entrada
2. Divertimento, Op. 107~II. Recreio campestre
3. Divertimento, Op. 107~III. Coral
4. Divertimento, Op. 107~IV. Intermezo
5. Divertimento, Op. 107~V. Fandango
6. Divertimento, Op. 107~VI. ¿¿cloga
7. Divertimento, Op. 107~VII. Final
8. Sinfonieta, Op. 220 'Homenagem a Haydn'~I. Adagio - Allegro moderato
9. Sinfonieta, Op. 220 'Homenagem a Haydn'~II. Andante - Pi¿¿ mosso - Lento
10. Sinfonieta, Op. 220 'Homenagem a Haydn'~III. Gaio
11. Sinfonieta, Op. 220 'Homenagem a Haydn'~IV. Allegro con spirito
12. Cinco Velhos Romances Portugueses, Op. 98~I. Romance de Dona Silvana
13. Cinco Velhos Romances Portugueses, Op. 98~II. Romance de Santa Catarina
14. Cinco Velhos Romances Portugueses, Op. 98~III. Romance da Dona Infanta
15. Cinco Velhos Romances Portugueses, Op. 98~IV. Romance de Dona ¿¿ngela
16. Cinco Velhos Romances Portugueses, Op. 98~V. Romance de Santa Iria
17. Quatro Inven¿¿¿¿es, Op. 148~No. 1. Allegro
18. Quatro Inven¿¿¿¿es, Op. 148~No. 2. Andante
19. Quatro Inven¿¿¿¿es, Op. 148~No. 3. Vivace
20. Quatro Inven¿¿¿¿es, Op. 148~No. 4. Lento

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Bruno Borralhinho   Primary Artist,Conductor,Cello
Portuguese Symphony Orchestra   Primary Artist,Orchestra

Technical Credits

Bjoern Kadenbach   Cover Photo,Photography
Hugo David   Photography
Hugo Romano Guimaraes   Producer,Engineer
Susannah Howe   Liner Note Translation
Fernando Lopes-Graca   Composer
Mario Vieira de Carvalho   Liner Notes