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The lyrical and at times overtly romantic and impressionistic nature of Henrique Oswald’s music led to its falling out of favour in the mid-20th century. But now it's seeing something of a revival, witness the recordings of his piano works on our Marco Polo and Grand Piano labels and, of course, now in Naxos' noted Music of Brazil series. The Sinfonietta is heard on this release in the world premiere recording of its original orchestral version, while the authoritative reading of Oswald's Symphony, Op. 43, highly successful in its day, is long overdue.
Henrique OSWALD (1852–1931)
Symphony, Op. 43
Sinfonietta, Op. 27 • Elegia
Minas Gerais Philharmonic OrchestraFabio Mechetti
Henrique Oswald was perhaps the most European of Brazilian composers, having spent a large part of his life in Italy; he also absorbed influences from France and Germany. Oswald’s music always retains a lyrical character with qualities of elegance and radiance, which can be heard in the Sinfonietta. The expressive Elegia, originally conceived for cello and piano, is dedicated to the memory of a friend. With its contrasts between darkness and light, coupled with undeniable beauty, the Symphony is regarded as Oswald’s finest orchestral achievement and one of the most significant works in the Brazilian orchestral literature.
IV. Allegro deciso
Fabio Mechetti has been artistic director and principal conductor of the Minas Gerais Philharmonic Orchestra since its foundation. Under his leadership, the orchestra has received numerous awards, recorded nine albums, including several for Naxos, and undertaken a tour of South America. In 2014, Mechetti became the first Brazilian music director of an Asian orchestra when appointed principal conductor of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra. Among the numerous US orchestras with which he has been associated, Mechetti conducted the Jacksonville Symphony for 14 years and is now its conductor emeritus.
The Minas Gerais Philharmonic Orchestra was established in 2008, and has since become one of the most successful cultural institutions in Brazil. Led by artistic director and principal conductor Fabio Mechetti, the orchestra comprises 90 musicians from across Brazil, Europe, Asia, and South and North America. It has received numerous accolades and awards, including the Grande Prêmio Concerto in 2020 and 2015, the Carlos Gomes Award for Best Orchestra in 2012, the Best Classical Music Group Award from the São Paulo Art Critics Association, and a Latin GRAMMY nomination in 2020 for an album of works for piano and orchestra by Almeida Prado (8.574225).
Piano Concerto No. 1
Aurora • Concerto Fribourgeois
Rubinsky
Minas Gerais Philharmonic Orchestra
Mechetti
– BBC Music Magazine ★★★★
Symphonies Nos. 1 and 2
Reisado do Pastoreio
Minas Gerais Philharmonic Orchestra
Mechetti
– BBC Music Magazine ★★★★
Cello Concertos Nos. 1 and 2
Fantasia for Cello and Orchestra
Meneses
São Paulo Symphony Orchestra
Karabtchevsky
– ClassicsToday.com
Symphonies Nos. 1 and 2 ‘Brasília’
Nonet
Goiânia Symphony Choir
Goiás Youth Symphony Choir
Goiás Philharmonic Orchestra
Thomson
– BBC Music Magazine ★★★★