Brazil

13 October

October 13th

Thomas Pitts Brazil, Music, South America Mendes, October, Viva Villa!

Gilberto Mendes 13 October 1922 – 1 January 2016

Viva Villa!

Gilberto Mendes
By Dietrich Hilmi – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=75149203

Gilberto Mendes was a remarkable Brazilian composer born on 13 October 1922 in Santos, Brazil. He was known for his innovative approach to music and was one of the founders of New Consonant Music, a group that aimed to explore new sound possibilities. Mendes studied piano under Antonieta Rudge and harmony with Sabino de Benedictis, drawing inspiration from the famous composer Villa-Lobos.

His early works showcased the beginnings of bossa nova, and he was deeply influenced by the Noigandres poets, which helped shape his artistic vision. Mendes attended the Santos Conservatory from 1941 to 1948, later studying composition with renowned musicians. He participated in the Darmstadt International Summer Courses for New Music, where he learned from influential figures like Pierre Boulez.

In 1962, he founded the New Music Festival, promoting experimental music. Mendes created various compositions, including orchestral and chamber works.

26 September

September 26th

Thomas Pitts Brazil, Music, South America O Astronauta, Powell, Samba Triste, September

Baden Powell 6 August 1937 – 26 September 2000

O Astronauta

Samba Triste

Baden Powell
Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5301263

Baden Powell de Aquino, born on 6 August 1937 in Brazil, was a remarkable guitarist and composer. He is celebrated for blending classical techniques with Brazilian genres like bossa nova and samba. Baden began playing guitar at a young age and quickly demonstrated his exceptional talent, winning competitions as a child. By fifteen, he was performing professionally and captured the interest of many musicians.

Notably, in 1966, he collaborated with poet Vinicius de Moraes to release the influential album “Os Afro-Sambas,” which married samba with Afro-Brazilian rhythms. Throughout his career, Baden created numerous iconic compositions, such as “Samba Triste” and “Canto de Ossanha,” that are still beloved today.

Powell gained recognition in Brazil and abroad, touring extensively. Despite facing health issues later in life, he continued to perform and record music until his passing on 26 September 2000. His unique playing style, characterised by a mix of jazz harmonies and traditional rhythms, established him as one of Brazil’s greatest guitarists.

15 April

April 15th

Thomas Pitts Brazil, Music, South America A Paz, April, Braga, Episodio Sinfonico

Antônio Francisco Braga 15 April 1868 – 14 March 1945

A Paz

Episodio Sinfonico

Antônio Francisco Braga
By Unknown – Arquivo Nacional, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=72421283

Antônio Francisco Braga was a Brazilian composer, conductor, and teacher born on 15 April 1868 in Rio de Janeiro. He played a crucial role in the development of classical music in Brazil, especially during the transition from the 19th to the 20th century. Braga’s music blended European styles with national elements, making him an important figure in Brazilian Romanticism. He studied at the Conservatoire de Paris under Jules Massenet, which significantly influenced his musical style.

Upon returning to Brazil, Braga became a well-known cultural figure. He founded the Sociedade de Concertos Populares and conducted the Rio de Janeiro Symphonic Orchestra. His works included orchestral pieces, operas, and even a famous version of the Brazilian National Anthem. Although he is less known internationally compared to other composers, Braga’s legacy remains important as he helped shape Brazilian music and culture.

14 April

April 14th

Thomas Pitts Brazil, Music, South America April, Oswald, Trio No. 3 in B Major

Henrique Oswald 14 April 1852 – 9 June 1931

Trio No. 3 in B Major Op. 45

Henrique Oswald
By Unknown – Arquivo Nacional, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=73411782

Henrique Oswald was a Brazilian composer and pianist, born on 14 April 1852 in Rio de Janeiro. He came from a culturally rich family, with a Swiss-German father and an Italian mother. In 1854, his family moved to São Paulo, where Oswald began his music studies. He showed remarkable talent and later continued his education in Europe, especially in Florence, where he became a successful pianist and composer.

Oswald’s music reflects the European Romantic style, influenced by famous composers like Chopin and Schumann. He mainly created piano and chamber works, which are known for their beauty and technical skill. One of his notable pieces is the String Quartet No. 2. In 1903, he returned to Brazil and worked as the director of the Instituto Nacional de Música, helping to develop music education in the country. Although he was less recognized than other composers, Oswald’s legacy continues to grow and his music is now appreciated for its elegance and emotional depth.