Unsung Composers

The Music => Recordings & Broadcasts => Topic started by: Alan Howe on Wednesday 10 November 2010, 12:25

Title: More Freitas Branco from Naxos
Post by: Alan Howe on Wednesday 10 November 2010, 12:25
The release of Freitas Branco's Symphony No.4 has been announced by Naxos:

http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/product/8572624.htm (http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/product/8572624.htm)
Title: Re: More Freitas Branco from Naxos
Post by: Ilja on Saturday 13 November 2010, 10:54
Quote from: Alan Howe on Wednesday 10 November 2010, 12:25
The release of Freitas Branco's Symphony No.4 has been announced by Naxos:

http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/product/8572624.htm (http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/product/8572624.htm)

This is good news: both the Symphony and Vathek belong to FB's best works: more introspective than his earlier material, and much better emotionally crafted. The presently available recording (Budapest Philharmonic - János Sandór) isn't bad either, but this coupling includes the currently-unavailable Vathek.
Title: Re: More Freitas Branco from Naxos
Post by: M. Henriksen on Sunday 14 November 2010, 21:22
I've enjoyed the music of Freitas Branco very much. I do hope that Naxos also will pay attention to his Violin Concerto, the symphonic poem "Solemnia Verba" and some of the composer's orchestral songs. Surely there must be music for a CD or two more.


Morten
Title: Re: More Freitas Branco from Naxos
Post by: Art Rock on Saturday 25 December 2010, 18:26
I picked up his third symphony last October whilst on holiday in Porto and was pleasantly surprised. I later got the first, and have the second and fourth now on (pre-)order.
Title: Re: More Freitas Branco from Naxos
Post by: Ilja on Sunday 26 December 2010, 16:09
Quote from: M. Henriksen on Sunday 14 November 2010, 21:22
I've enjoyed the music of Freitas Branco very much. I do hope that Naxos also will pay attention to his Violin Concerto, the symphonic poem "Solemnia Verba" and some of the composer's orchestral songs. Surely there must be music for a CD or two more.

The Violin Concerto has been recorded in a fine recording by the Atma Classique label. The solist is Alexandre Costa, accompanied by the Estremadura Symphony under Jesus Amigo. The other piece on the CD, a concerto by Fernandes, is also very worthwhile.

For the symphonic poem Solemnia Verba, have a look here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii1dOpAHxzQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii1dOpAHxzQ)
Title: Re: More Freitas Branco from Naxos
Post by: M. Henriksen on Sunday 26 December 2010, 16:50
QuoteThe Violin Concerto has been recorded in a fine recording by the Atma Classique label. The solist is Alexandre Costa, accompanied by the Estremadura Symphony under Jesus Amigo. The other piece on the CD, a concerto by Fernandes, is also very worthwhile.
The Atma- CD you refer to contains Freitas Branco's Symphony no. 2 plus the Fernandes Concerto.
However Freitas Branco's VC has been recorded by exactly the same soloist, orchestra and conductor on a VMS disc coupled with some music by Braga Santos.
There is also a Portugalsom disc with the concerto, but I guess it's difficult to get hold of.


Morten