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‘This album is a unique occasion to meet the two different sides of Mignone’s poetry. If the early sonatas are inspired by a typical European background, the 3 sonatas that open the album (recorded here for the very first time) are a perfect example of the 'other side' of this incredible composer that is much less familiar – challenging pieces, visionary and extremely advanced in searching new paths for musical expression.’
– Emmanuele Baldini, Violin
This latest release in our Music of Brazil series is the successor to an album of Mignone’s Concertos and Concertinos (8.574573) that includes Emmanuele Baldini’s performance of the Violin Concerto. Released in July 2024, it found MusicWeb International remarking that ‘The hope must be that the Naxos 'Music of Brazil' series will be revisiting this rewarding composer soon.’ And with this new album, that wish is now granted!
Francisco MIGNONE (1897–1986)
Complete Violin Sonatas
Emmanuele Baldini, ViolinLucas Thomazinho, Piano
Francisco Mignone was a leading figure in the Brazilian music scene of the 20th century, with a free-flowing style and gift for melody that instantly communicated with audiences. He was part of the first generation of modernist Brazilian composers that included Villa-Lobos and Guarnieri. Mignone’s two early unnumbered sonatas emulate the French influence of Fauré and Debussy, but it was not until the 1960s that he returned to the genre. The First and Second Sonatas share a fragmented, experimental character that juxtapose varying forms of tonality and metre, while the Third Sonata features national rhythmic and melodic elements. These sonatas represent some of the most significant works for violin and piano to come from Brazil.
III. Rondo: Allegro scherzoso
Born in Italy, Emmanuele Baldini received his violin training in Geneva, Salzburg and Berlin, and studied conducting with Isaac Karabtchevsky and Frank Shipway. He gained awards at numerous international violin competitions and has performed as a soloist or recitalist internationally. He has performed in all the major European concert halls, in addition to those in Latin America and especially in Brazil, where he has lived since 2005. In pursuit of his interest in conducting, he is now principal conductor of the Symphonic Orchestra of Tatui’s Conservatory in Brazil and music director of the new Ñuble Symphonic Orchestra in Chile.
Brazilian pianist Lucas Thomazinho has performed as a soloist with prestigious orchestras across Brazil; he has also appeared at engagements in the United States, Portugal, Paris and Germany. A laureate of numerous international piano competitions, he was awarded the Finalist Prize at the XIX Santander International Piano Competition, First Prize at the XVIII Santa Cecilia International Competition, and was a finalist of the 2016 PIANALE International Piano Academy & Competition. His composition Prelúdio for solo piano received the 2020 FUNARTE RespirArte Award.
Concertos and Concertinos
Baldini • Zanon • Buosi • Silvério
São Paulo Symphony Orchestra
Thomson • Guerrero
– American Record Guide
Cello Concertos Nos. 1 and 2
Fantasia for Cello and Orchestra
Meneses
São Paulo Symphony Orchestra
Karabtchevsky
– ClassicsToday.com
Sinfonia dos Orixás
Pequenos funerais cantantes
São Paulo Symphony Choir and Orchestra
Thomson
– Fanfare
– Classical CD Choice