Unlike major European cultural capitals, Portuguese institutions and audiences in the 19th century resisted the development of a national symphonic culture. The closing years of that century, and especially the 20th century, marked a reversal of this trend. In the twilight of the monarchy, and even more so during the Estado Novo dictatorship, the debate on Portuguese identity and the rise of nationalist movements prompted various composers to express those aspirations through orchestral music. José Vianna da Motta, Frederico de Freitas, Fernando Lopes-Graça and Joly Braga Santos thus became significant contributors to the Portuguese symphonic canon. The most evident response to this ambition was perhaps expressed through the composition of symphonies. Nevertheless, these composers also embraced the aesthetic currents of their time, exploring orchestral creation through genres then in vogue, such as song and ballet.

Following on from Teatro Nacional de São Carlos’s commitment to rediscovering lyrical works inspired by national and popular themes — such as those by Vianna da Motta and Lopes-Graça — this concert also proposes revisiting a virtually forgotten repertoire: orchestral excerpts from ballets by Frederico de Freitas — founding musical director of the renowned Bailados Portugueses Verde-Gaio company — and Joly Braga Santos — one of Portugal’s greatest symphonists.

Programme

FREDERICO DE FREITAS
O muro do derrete
A formosura desta fresca serra (Luís de Camões)

JOLY BRAGA SANTOS
Acordando  (Antero de Quental)
Delgadas claras águas do Mondego (from 3 Sonnets by Camões) (Luís de Camões)

FERNANDO LOPES-GRAÇA
O menino da sua mãe (Fernando Pessoa)
Cantiga de embalar (popular)
Agora é que ela vai boa (popular)
Meu lírio roxo (popular)

JOSÉ VIANNA DA MOTTA
Tristeza (João de Deus)
Canção perdida (Guerra Junqueiro) orchestration by Pedro de Freitas Branco
Lavadeira e Caçador (João de Deus) orchestration by Pedro de Freitas Branco

FERNANDO LOPES-GRAÇA
Três danças portuguesas op. 32
– Fandango
– Dança dos Pauliteiros
– Malhão

Crossings
Nationalism in Art
22 November, 6.30pm

In connection with the concert À Procura de um Som Português (In Search of a Portuguese Sound), we have reserved space for an exploration of Nationalism in Art, which begins with music and flows into the history of 20th-century art, particularly in the field of visual arts. With guests who share their knowledge and reflections, we offer clues for a better understanding of the following concert.

Guests
João Paulo Santos
Raquel Henriques da Silva

Moderator
Andrea Lupi