César Guerra-Peixe – Symphonies Nos. 1 and 2 ‘Brasília’ • Nonet

We now reach Vol. 27 in the Naxos Music of Brazil series and the third album to feature the music of César Guerra⁠-⁠Peixe, which has been surprisingly rare in catalogues, given the immediate appeal of many of his works. With world premiere recordings of both the First Symphony and the Nonet, this is yet another Naxos album that shows us what we have been missing through neglect of South American composers, and César Guerra-Peixe in particular.


César GUERRA-PEIXE (1914–1993)
Symphonies Nos. 1 and 2 ‘Brasília’
Nonet

Goiânia Symphony Choir • Goiás Youth Symphony Choir
Goiás Philharmonic Orchestra • Neil Thomson

César Guerra-Peixe’s compact First Symphony and the colourful Nonet date from his years as part of the Música Viva group – a collective of young composers influenced by Hans-Joachim Koellreutter, the German composer and teacher who brought serial techniques to Brazil. Guerra-Peixe’s relationship with serial composition was intense and short-lived, but both of these earlier pieces were admired internationally and remain two of the finest works produced by this movement. From the 1950s onwards, Guerra-Peixe turned to musical nationalism with many successes including his award-winning and eloquently programmatic Second Symphony.

Listen to an extract from Symphony No. 1:
I. Allegro
About the artists

Neil Thomson has been principal conductor and artistic director of the Goiás Philharmonic Orchestra since 2014, leading the orchestra to national prominence with its championing of Brazilian and contemporary repertoire. He also enjoys a busy international career working with all the major UK orchestras and the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, Russian National Orchestra, São Paulo State Symphony Orchestra, WDR Rundfunkorchester, Lahti Symphony Orchestra and the Romanian National Orchestra.

Founded in 1999, the Goiânia Symphony Choir comprises professional singers who perform a broad repertoire, ranging from a cappella to great choral-symphonic works, always seeking to value Brazilian choral literature alongside international repertoire. In recent years, the choir’s focus has turned to a cappella repertoire of the 20th and 21st centuries, as well as performances of choral/orchestral sacred works from different eras. The choir's mission is to spread and promote choral music in the capital of Goiás, performing in theatres, schools, churches and other venues.

Founded in 2014, the Goiás Youth Symphony Choir is one of the senior student ensembles run by the Escola do Futura de Goiás em Artes Basileu França, a performing arts school based in the city of Goiânia. With a current membership of 53 young singers and under the leadership of conductor and artistic director Weber Assis, the choir has become a beacon of music education in the state of Goiás. The choir undertook its first international tour in 2018, making appearances at venues across Switzerland.

Founded in 1980, the Goiás Philharmonic Orchestra is committed to the dissemination of classical music throughout the Brazilian state of Goiás by placing particular emphasis on Brazilian music in its programmes. Under the leadership of principal conductor and artistic director Neil Thomson, the orchestra has grown from an ensemble of local note to one of national importance. Now widely regarded as one of the top three orchestras in Brazil, the Goiás Philharmonic Orchestra is known for its energetic and dynamic playing style and innovative approach to programming.

Previous albums in the Music of Brazil series featuring conductor Neil Thomson
8.574408
KRIEGER, E.:
Canticum Naturale
Ludus Symphonicus • Variações Elementares

Fernandes
São Paulo Symphony Choir
Goiás Philharmonic Orchestra
Thomson
‘[T]his is skilfully calibrated, evocative modern music. British conductor Neil Thomson and the Goías Philharmonic have been responsible for many issues in this series, and they keep up their fine standards here.’
Fanfare
8.574411
‘These are gripping performances of both works.’
American Record Guide
8.574410
SANTORO, C.:
Symphony No. 8 • Cello Concerto

de Freitas • Martins
Goiás Philharmonic Orchestra
Thomson
★★★★★
★★★★
‘Marina Martins plays the solo part with expressive power and technical finesse, and the Goiás Philharmonic play brilliantly for Neil Thomson throughout the entirety of this challenging programme.’
Gramophone
8.573925
★★★★★
★★★★
‘How does Naxos continue to pull off this particular trick? Once again they have found immensely attractive music by a composer whose name will be completely new to most listeners. Guerra-Peixe was one of the most impressive Brazilian musicians of the 20th century, and these colourful exciting suites are here given the best possible advocacy.’
Classical CD Choice


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