Lopes-Graça's talent in his folk song versions lies in enhancing the musical atmosphere through the harmonic support of the piano.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Lopes-Graça's creative tension between musical erudition and popular music taste is compared to Béla Bartók, who was a guiding influence alongside Beethoven, Stravinsky, and Debussy.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Lopes-Graça's work is characterized by a tension between formalist musical conception and music rooted in Portuguese folk traditions.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded from July 16-21, 2017, at Culturgest, Grande Auditório, in Lisbon, Portugal.
Composition History
During his time in Paris from 1937 to 1939, Lopes-Graça was convinced by singer Lucie Dewinsky to begin systematically harmonizing Portuguese folk songs.
Composition History
The album includes Four Christmas Songs (1955) and Four New Christmas Songs (c. 1958), the latter recently discovered by Conceição Correia at the Museum of Portuguese Music Casa Verdades de Faria.
Composer Biography
Fernando Lopes-Graça (1906-1994) is considered the most important Portuguese composer of the second half of the 20th century.
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