Joly Braga Santos: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 5

Editorial Reviews
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Hearty thanks to Marco Polo for finding another lost gem. Braga Santos (1924-1988) was born in Portugal and, through his teacher, Luis de Freitas Branco, inherited a fondness for music that mixed elements of Modernism with Portuguese Renaissance polyphony. Yet Vaughan Williams is the greatest influence in Braga Santos's music. Braga Santos, like Vaughan Williams, hunted down and extensively used folk melodies, folk songs, and anonymous sacred compositions for church services. Both symphonies contained here have those elements, with Symphony 5 (1965-66) being a bit more strident and melancholy than Symphony 1 (1946) which is a peaceful post-war work. Let's hope Marco Polo gives us more of this man's music. --Paul Cook

Joly Braga Santos: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 5, Music, Joly Braga Santos, Alvaro Cassuto, Portuguese Symphony Orchestra, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Orchestral & Symphonic, Symphonic, Symphony
Joly Braga Santos: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 5
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Intriguing Portuguese master
 Joly Braga Santos: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 5

Manufacturer: Marco Polo
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. Joly Braga Santos: Symphony No. 2/ Crossroads
  2. Braga Santos: Symphony No. 4 ; Symphonic Variations
  3. Santos: Symphonies 3 & 6
  4. Braga Santos: Concerto for Strings
  5. Joly Braga Santos: Cello Concerto; Staccato Brillante; Divertimentos Nos. 1 & 2

ASIN: B000007NM0
Release Date: 1998-05-26

Tracks:

  1. Symphony No. 1: Molto sostenuto - Allegro energico
  2. Symphony No. 1: Andante, molto tranquillo
  3. Symphony No. 1: Allegro assai
  4. Symphony No. 5: Largamente
  5. Symphony No. 5: Zavala: Moderato
  6. Symphony No. 5: Largo
  7. Symphony No. 5: Allegro energico ed appassionato

Amazon.com

Hearty thanks to Marco Polo for finding another lost gem. Braga Santos (1924-1988) was born in Portugal and, through his teacher, Luis de Freitas Branco, inherited a fondness for music that mixed elements of Modernism with Portuguese Renaissance polyphony. Yet Vaughan Williams is the greatest influence in Braga Santos's music. Braga Santos, like Vaughan Williams, hunted down and extensively used folk melodies, folk songs, and anonymous sacred compositions for church services. Both symphonies contained here have those elements, with Symphony 5 (1965-66) being a bit more strident and melancholy than Symphony 1 (1946) which is a peaceful post-war work. Let's hope Marco Polo gives us more of this man's music. --Paul Cook

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Intriguing Portuguese master.......2000-04-22

Joly Braga Santos' is a composer who ought to be heard and this disc gives an indication of why. Both pieces here are well-constructed and full of interesting music even if they are very different. Like the other Marco Polo disc with the Third and Sixth symphonies, this one combines a memorable, late Romantic effort with a tougher, much more modern piece.

Santos' 1st Symphony, written in memory of those who died during WW II, is heavily influenced by Vaughan Williams-like modality. It has some of the toughness of that composer's 4th symphony, but is more appealing melodically and serves as a fitting testament. It's not as memorable as Santos' 3rd symphony, however.

The 5th symphony is much more modern, with many edgy string effects, but the composer's personality does show through. Best is the second movement, with its kaleidoscopic marimba effects derived from the music of Mozambique. There's plenty of good music here, but it won't be played as often as the 1st.

Overall, if you can only get one Braga Santos' disc, get the one with the 3rd symphony. If you like that, you'll like this one. And, hopefully, Marco Polo will favor us with the 2nd & 4th symphonies, both supposedly cut from the same fabric as 3!

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