Luís de Freitas Branco was a prodigious talent whose early Duas Melodias (‘Two Melodies’) reveal the influence of Grieg. The young composer’s command of complex chromatic harmony and intricate string writing in these pieces is clearly in evidence. Only the second of the Melodias was performed during Freitas Branco’s lifetime, attracting critical acclaim. This digital single complements Bows Up! (8.579105), an album of 20th and 21st century Portuguese music for strings.