Fernando Lopes-Graça stood out in his opposition to the authoritarian Estada Novo regime in mid-20th-century Portugal, his studies with Koechlin in Paris crucial to his attitude towards traditional against politically propagandized folk music. The Sonatinas are youthful works that appeal to concision and simplified writing, while popular roots and dance character are evident in the Prelúdio, Capricho e Galope. Passion, virtuosity and distinctive lyrical expression resonate through all these works, right up to the profound lamentation and emotional battles of the Adágio Doloroso e Fantasia. Lopes-Graça’s piano concertos can be found on Naxos 8.572817, and his Symphony (8.572892) was a MusicWeb International ‘Recording of the Year’ in 2012.