Braga Santos: Symphony No. 4 ; Symphonic Variations

Braga Santos: Symphony No. 4 ; Symphonic Variations

Braga Santos: Symphony No. 4 ; Symphonic Variations
List Price: $9.99
Our Price: $8.43
You Save: $1.56 (16%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $6.71 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more CD details
Listen soundtracks from this album



(Click here)
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store

CD Details

Composer: Joly Braga Santos
Conductor: Alvaro Cassuto
Orchestra: National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland
Edition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2002-12-03
Music Label: Marco Polo
Soundtracks:
  1. Symphonic Variations On A Popular Song From The Alentejo
  2. Lento
  3. Andante
  4. Allegro Tranquillo
  5. Lento

Music reviews of Braga Santos: Symphony No. 4 ; Symphonic Variations

Music Review: A fascinating find for me. And hopefully for you as well.
Rating: 5 Stars

Fellow classical music reviewer J Scott Morrison, in his review of Joly Braga Santos's Symphony No. 2, was so convincing in his enthusiasm for this largely-unknown 20th-century Portuguese composer that I obtained not only that CD but this one as well. Both CDs are certifiable "winners." There is little that I can add to Scott's comments on the 2nd Symphony and its discmate (the "Crossroads" Ballet); I agree with all that he has written. But there is plenty worthy of comment for this 4th Symphony, coupled on this CD with his "Symphonic Variations."

Braga Santos (1924-1988) spent the early part of his musical career studying under a Portuguese composer of the previous generation, Luis de Freitas Branco, who would appear to have influenced all of Braga Santos's compositions through and including the 4th Symphony, all of which were written while he was still in his 20s. (The excellent booklet notes, by Álvaro Cassuto, the conductor for this Marco Polo series and clearly the principal champion of the music of Braga Santos, go on to state that Braga Santos subsequently studied with Herman Scherchen and Virgilio Motari, and that his later works reflected a more avant-garde compositional style, something that I have yet to look forward to.) Despite his Iberian roots, there is little in his music that brings to mind a characteristically Iberian style (say, that of Manuel de Falla). Instead, there is a more "international" flavor to these works, including some fairly obvious similarities with a number of better-known composers: Bax, Bruckner, Hanson, Nielsen, Ravel, Respighi, Rimsky-Korsakov, Sibelius and Vaughan Williams come to mind at various points throughout the 4th Symphony, and the Symphonic Variations have their Ravelian and Respighian touches as well.

The symphony (Braga Santos's longest, at some 53 minutes), is in four rather evenly divided movements, save for the last movement, which concludes with a stirring epilogue in the form of a chorale that largely accounts for its greater length. Each of the movements is full of good tunes, incorporated with real craftsmanship and a high regard for orchestral color. One can hear the ravishing lushness of Ravel, the motivic cells of Sibelius (even successfully combined with the Ravel touches in several places), brilliant splashes of orchestra color that readily remind one of Respighi, frequently modal writing reminiscent of Vaughan Williams, side drum tattoos that bring Nielsen to mind, and so forth. The epilogue-in-the-form-of-a-chorale that concludes the work does so on a very high note; with its use of timpani ostinato and a chorale theme that is of a definitely "Romantic yearning" bent, it reminds me in most respects of the final-movement coda to Hanson's "Romantic" Symphony, even to its brilliant modulations in the closing bars.

What is exceedingly difficult to put into words is the fact that all of this works, and works brilliantly, without seeming obvious or "pastiche-like." Each movement is a fully-developed entity having its own themes (and ear-catching tunes), with its own immediate appeal, yet the four movements fit together with perfect logic. Tis a puzzlement that this work has labored pretty much in obscurity for a half-century, for it is a "can't fail" audience-pleaser that need make no apologies.

The "Symphonic Variations" (which is the opening track on the disc) is, according to the booklet notes, based on a popular song from the Alentejo region of southern Portugal. It is a catchy tune, even a pretty one, where the "theme and variation" idea is utilized as a formal device for displaying the virtuoso and coloristic capabilities of the orchestra; a "Concerto for Orchestra" without actually being one, so to say. The work is "of a piece" with the 4th Symphony in terms of its obvious craft and its immediate - and seemingly lasting - appeal.

This last point deserves a small bit of additional commentary. Seldom, when listening to something totally new to me, do I latch on to it as I seem to have with these two Braga Santos works. My music library is literally littered with roadkill, stuff I gave a try to that in the end just didn't make an impression on me. Not so for these works; each time I listen to them (and it's been a few times already, just for purpose of putting these thoughts together), I find something new to appreciate in what Braga Santos has crafted.

Marco Polo has done us an outstanding service by committing to disc a major portion of Braga Santos's symphonic output (including all of his symphonies), under the direction of Cassuto. The National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland is a fine group that does justice to both these works, and the sound is excellent.

This is truly a composer who deserves to be "rescued from obscurity," and Cassuto and Marco Polo have done themselves proud in their efforts. I hope to have the opportunity to hear a Braga Santos work performed "live" some day, now that all this "heavy lifting" by Cassuto and Marco Polo has brought his works before the listening public.

Bob Zeidler
More Braga Santos: Symphony No. 4 ; Symphonic Variations free music reviews:
1 2 3

Description of Braga Santos: Symphony No. 4 ; Symphonic Variations

All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.

Classical CDs

Music Genres
Bestsellers in Classical CDs
Winterscapes ImageWinterscapes
by London Philharmonic
Prophetic Voice; Published: 2000-07; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $2.75
Price in other shops: $6.99
The Queen, the Bear, & the Bumblebee ImageThe Queen, the Bear, & the Bumblebee
by Dini Petty
Children's Group; Published: 2001-03; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $13.38
Price in other shops: $13.98
Beethoven Lives Upstairs Cdr ImageClassical Kids - Beethoven Lives Upstairs Cdr
Release date: 2000-04-05; Music CD
Best price: $24.98
Tchaikovsky (Life and Works (Naxos)) ImageTchaikovsky (Life and Works (Naxos))
by Malcolm Sinclair, Jeremy Siepmann
Naxos; Published: 2003-11; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $35.99
Jose Carreras - Jubileum Concert [VHS] ImageJose Carreras - Jose Carreras - Jubileum Concert [VHS]
Sling Shot; Release date: 2000-04-18; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $5.86
Price in other shops: $9.99
Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Nureyev, Park, Royal Ballet [VHS] ImageTchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Nureyev, Park, Royal Ballet [VHS]
Kultur Video; Release date: 1997-09-09; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.89
Price in other shops: $29.95
Lonely Town Lonley Street / Sergeant's Early Dream [VHS] ImageRambert Dance Company - Lonely Town Lonley Street / Sergeant's Early Dream [VHS]
Kultur Video; Release date: 1997-10-28; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $14.99
Price in other shops: $29.95
Winter Music: Composing the North ImageWinter Music: Composing the North
by John Luther Adams
Wesleyan; Published: 2004-11-10; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $21.90
Price in other shops: $25.95
Puccini - La Fanciulla del West / Santi, Domingo, Neblett, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS] ImagePuccini - La Fanciulla del West / Santi, Domingo, Neblett, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS]
Kultur Video; Release date: 1999-05-25; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $6.38
Price in other shops: $29.95
Verdi - Falstaff / Giulini, Bruson, Ricciarelli, Nucci, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS] ImageVerdi - Falstaff / Giulini, Bruson, Ricciarelli, Nucci, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS]
Kultur Video; Release date: 1999-05-25; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $12.95
Price in other shops: $29.95
Similar CDs
Joly Braga Santos: Cello Concerto; Staccato Brillante; Divertimentos Nos. 1 & 2 ImageJoly Braga Santos: Cello Concerto; Staccato Brillante; Divertimentos Nos. 1 & 2
Release date: 2004-09-21; Music CD
Best price: $10.38
Tyberg: Symphony No. 3; Piano Trio ImageTyberg: Symphony No. 3; Piano Trio
Release date: 2010-08-31; Music CD
Best price: $5.48
Price in other shops: $8.99
Freitas Branco: Symphony No. 2; After a reading of Guerra Junquiero; Artificial Paradises ImageFreitas Branco: Symphony No. 2; After a reading of Guerra Junquiero; Artificial Paradises
Release date: 2009-01-27; Music CD
Best price: $5.18
Price in other shops: $8.99
Orch Works 3: Symp No 3 / Death of Manfred Suite 2 ImageOrch Works 3: Symp No 3 / Death of Manfred Suite 2
Release date: 2010-05-25; Music CD
Best price: $5.19
Price in other shops: $9.99
Luis de Freitas Branco: Orchestral Works, Vol. 1 ImageLuis de Freitas Branco: Orchestral Works, Vol. 1
Release date: 2008-07-29; Music CD
Best price: $5.16
Price in other shops: $10.98
Braga Santos: Concerto for Strings ImageBraga Santos: Concerto for Strings
Release date: 2002-01-15; Music CD
Best price: $7.72
Price in other shops: $9.99
Braga Santos: Symphonies Nos. 3  And  6 ImageAlvaro Cassuto - Braga Santos: Symphonies Nos. 3 And 6
Release date: 2009-08-03; Music CD
Best price: $7.94
Price in other shops: $8.99
Joly Braga Santos: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 5 ImageJoly Braga Santos: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 5
Release date: 1998-05-26; Music CD
Best price: $7.72
Price in other shops: $9.99
Braga Santos: Alfama; Symphonic Overture; Elegy; Variations; Three Symphonic Sketches ImageRoyal Scottish National Orchestra - Braga Santos: Alfama; Symphonic Overture; Elegy; Variations; Three Symphonic Sketches
Release date: 2011-12-13; Music CD
Best price: $5.51
Price in other shops: $9.99
Joly Braga Santos: Symphony No. 2/ Crossroads ImageJoly Braga Santos: Symphony No. 2/ Crossroads
Release date: 2001-03-06; Music CD
Best price: $7.72
Price in other shops: $9.99
Compare prices and find music notes for more than one million Music CD titles