Nepomuceno Symphony in G minor

[Alan Howe]

We've mentioned Alberto Nepomuceno's Symphony in G minor (1893) at UC before, but here's the announcement of its first commercial recording:
https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8539076--alberto-nepomuceno-symphony-in-g

[eschiss1]

was its LP recording on Festa Discos non-commercial ? (I also see a 1991 CD which does look to be non-commercial, issued by a school, and a 1996 CD on Construtora Lix de la Cunha.)

[Alan Howe]

You're correct, Eric. Mike Herman over at MusicWeb has these two entries in his discography ITALIAN, PORTUGUESE, SPANISH AND LATIN AMERICAN SYMPHONIES from the 19th Century to the Present:

Symphony in G minor (1893)

Roberto Duarte/Orquestra Sinfônica da Escola de Música da UFRJ
( + Oswald: Elegy and Miguez: Prometeu)
ORSEM CD EM UFRJ 001 (1991)

Edoardo de Guarnieri/Orquestra Sinfônica Brasileira
FESTA LDR 5.018 (LP) (1960s

[Alan Howe]

I'm sure, though, that the Naxos will be the first widespread commercial release of the symphony.

[Mykulh]

Thanks for this good news. Now there are 3 listings of this charming symphony in my discography. Hopefully, other romantic symphonies from the vast reaches of Latin America will be unearthed and recorded in the near future.

Mike

[Alan Howe]

Thanks, Mike, for all your diligent work in making available these invaluable discographies. Glad there's now one more added to this particular listing.

[jasthill]

The Naxos logo on the front of the album cover says Naxos - The Music of Brazil, something I've not noticed before.  An examination of the repertory of the concert series at the Minas Gerais Philharmonic Orchestra shows they play a plethora of Brazilian composers.  They have appeared on the Naxos CD's of Villa-Lobos guitar music playing some individual Villa-Lobos orchestral compositions.  Who knows maybe another Naxos series.

[Alan Howe]

The orchestra featured here, the Minas Gerais Philharmonic, is based in the capital of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, a city of 2½ million people. The MGP was formed ten years ago.

[jasthill]

Aha! Look at the liner notes for this release:

https://www.naxos.com/mainsite/blurbs_reviews.asp?item_code=8.574067&catNum=574067&filetype=About%20this%20Recording&language=English#

[Alan Howe]

So we can expect a series...

[jasthill]

More info - Brasil em Concerto - release from the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign affairs (article is in portuguese - google does a reasonable translation job).

http://www.itamaraty.gov.br/pt-BR/notas-a-imprensa/19767-projeto-brasil-em-concerto

[Mark Thomas]

I'm looking forward to this release, and the sound bites now available at online retailers are certainly encouraging. The Symphony promises to be a tuneful work in the Germanic tradition (Nepomuceno was taught by Herzogenberg), whereas the other works sound colourfully Latin.

[eschiss1]

I think we used to have an upload of another recording of the symphony, and in any event I've heard an LP recording of it several times. I can confirm that. (European tradition, anyway, maybe specifically Germanic, I couldn't tell just by listening iirc...) Very tuneful and also passionate as I recall, I was glad to make its acquaintance.

[eschiss1]

This disc has now been reviewed on Musicweb, by the way.

[Alan Howe]

Pace Rob Barnett's review, I think the orchestra is first-class. I certainly can't hear any deficiency in the string department; on the contrary, I think they have a lovely, full sound - as befits the music. A really first-class disc in every way, beautifully recorded.

Do give Nepomuceno a try. The Symphony's extremely attractive in its lyrical fervour and packs quite a punch.