This is Vol. 23 in our projected 30-disc set forming the Naxos Music of Brazil series. It’s also the fourth volume from conductor Neil Thomson and the Goiás Philharmonic to spotlight the symphonies of Claudio Santoro (1919–1989), in which the programme explores a pivotal decade in the composer’s symphonic output.
‘The Goiás Philharmonic play brilliantly for Neil Thomson throughout the entirety of this challenging programme.’ (Gramophone on Vol. 3)
Claudio SANTORO (1919–1989)
Symphonies Nos. 4 and 6
Choro Concertante for Saxophone *
Fantasia for Violin **
Pedro Bittencourt, tenor saxophone * • Emmanuele Baldini, violin **Goiânia Symphony Choir
Goiás Philharmonic Orchestra • Neil Thomson
The fourth volume in this series explores a pivotal decade in Claudio Santoro’s compositions. In the 1950s he moved from serialism towards nationalism starting with the transitional, reflective Canto de Amor e Paz (‘Song of Love and Peace’) and continuing with Symphony No. 4 which proved to be one of his most accessible and influential works. His Symphony No. 6 of 1958 is short but original, luminous and sombre by turns. The concertante works for saxophone and violin show Santoro’s command of dance rhythms, colourful lyricism and virtuosity.
I. Allegro
Brazilian saxophonist Pedro Bittencourt has appeared at numerous international music festivals and regularly performs with Mexico's National Symphony Orchestra, the UFRJ Symphony Orchestra, the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra and the orchestra of the Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro. He studied for his PhD in aesthetics, sciences and technologies of the arts/music at the Centre de recherche Informatique et Création Musicale at the Paris 8 University.
Born in Italy, Emmanuele Baldini is a prize-winning violinist who has performed in all the major European concert halls, in addition to those in Latin America and Brazil. Following a successful career as a violinist, he embarked on new musical ventures as a conductor. He founded the Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo Quartet, and has collaborated with internationally renowned artists such as Maria João Pires, Jean-Philippe Collard and Jean-Efflam Bavouzet.
Born in London, Neil Thomson studied conducting at the Royal College of Music with Norman Del Mar and at the Tanglewood summer school with Leonard Bernstein. He has been principal conductor and artistic director of the Goiás Philharmonic Orchestra since 2014, leading the orchestra to national prominence with its championing of Brazilian and contemporary repertoire. From 1992 to 2006 he was professor of conducting at London's Royal College of Music.
Founded in 1980, the Goiás Philharmonic Orchestra (GPO) is committed to a particular emphasis on Brazilian music in its programmes for the Brazilian state of Goiás. Under Neil Thomson's leadership, the orchestra has grown rapidly from an ensemble of local importance to one of national prominence. Regarded as one of the top three orchestras in Brazil, the GPO is known for its energetic and dynamic playing style and innovative approach to programming.
Founded in 1999, the Goiânia Symphony Choir comprises professional singers who maintain its broad repertoire, from a cappella to great choral-symphonic works, always seeking to value Brazilian choral literature alongside international repertoire. In recent years, the choir’s focus has turned to a cappella repertoire of the 20th and 21st centuries, as well as the performance of sacred works from different eras.
Symphony No. 8 • Cello Concerto
Freitas • Martins
Goiás Philharmonic Orchestra
Thomson
– The Art Music Lounge
Symphonies Nos. 11 and 12
Concerto Grosso • Three Fragments on BACH
Goiás Philharmonic Orchestra
Thomson
– Gramophone
Symphony No. 5 • Symphony No. 7 ‘Brasilia’
Goiás Philharmonic Orchestra
Thomson
– MusicWeb International
Sonata for Solo Violin
Soloists of the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra
– Gramophone