JOÃO LIMA, piano
Since Portuguese music is not found – like that of any other country – adequately published and recorded on CD and available to a wider public (except in rare cases), it might seem nothing more than a virtual heritage, merely recognized, now and again, if someone takes the time to perform it in a concert.
This musical heritage does exist: it is concrete, not virtual; however, it continues far from assuming its place in the usual programming of internationally or nationally recorded catalogues.
Admitting that although some works have already been recorded under acceptable conditions, we are faced with the unsolvable problematic of a highly insufficient distribution, of a nearly total absence of publicity and also of the very harmful habit of not supporting the publication of scores, looking the other way to acts of “piracy” that occur, for example, when performance from photocopies of the old originals is not prohibited…
The fight for this cause rests on the country’s cultural policy, but the responsible parties seem rather more concerned with the organization and promotion of festivals and other events that can offer a gleaming facade.
All that is left is to applaud and support, as much as possible, the individual efforts of all of those who, connected to the private sector, do the best that they can – and with a variety of sacrifices – in order to make the works of our composers known: those of today, yesterday, and even those who already possess the artistic conditions to guarantee a brilliant tomorrow for Portuguese music.
António Victorino D’Almeida
Details:
“SABER OUVIR” (literally, to know to hear) is today a kind of “brand name” associated with the author of these lines, in the sense that it corresponds to the name that has been attributed to a vast network of activities of musical divulgation which I have developed, one way or another,
throughout Portugal for several years ago now.
Essentially, “SABER OUVIR” - has been the rubric of 3 editions of open courses on the History of Music in Braga (weekly sessions of commented musical listening), through which many participants have had their senses opened to the Beauty and Universality of so-called “Classical Music”…
The 4th edition in Braga - which will take place in January of 2011 – will be realized in a different format, on stage, with illustrious guests and the obligatory presence of live music, always complemented by brief commentaries and informal explanations.
In Porto, in association with the Literary Club of Porto, the initiative is already in its 2nd edition (and is currently ongoing). This edition, I am honored to announce, is being realized in partnership with the most important disseminator of Portuguese music for the last 50 years - Maestro António Victorino D’Almeida.
Now, the occasion has arrived to realize another anticipated ramification of “SABER OUVIR”, that is, to reach the realm of recorded editions by means of the Artistic Planning and Coordination of an Anthology whose primary objective, in addition to the aforementioned musical divulgation, now also on CD, is the promotion and dissemination of Portuguese instrumentalists and composers.
This is a project cherished from the very start by the most prestigious public and private entities, among whom one may highlight, RDP Antena 2 (Portuguese National Radio), the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, the Conservatory of Braga and the Music Publisher, Numérica – itself the greatest exponent, throughout the last 20 years, for recorded editions of Portuguese instrumentalists and composers, representing an extraordinary private effort that the state and its relevant institutions would be well-served to recognize and attribute corresponding and more just financial assistance…
The 1st Volume of the Anthology is dedicated to the works for piano by the composer, Eurico Thomaz de Lima (1908-1989), now recorded in their integrity for the first time on CD, performed by the pianist, João Lima.
It is a motive of great honor for me the be able to contribute to this project so that works by this and other estimable Portuguese composers may become known to a larger public, rather than – as so often happens - lie forgotten in useless, dusty trunks.
Miguel Leite
1 Estudo
02’24’’
2 Prelúdio
02’41’’
3 Nocturno
02’20’’
4 Fantasia
05’26’’
5 Dança Negra Nº1
01’16’’
6 Dança Negra Nº2
02’28’’
7 Dança Negra Nº3
03’31’’
8 Dança Negra Nº4
02’06’’
9 Buchenwald-Protesto Musical
07’40’’
Suite Portuguesa Nº1
10 Vira
01’33’’
11 Coral Alentejano
03’23’’
12 Fandango
02’35’’
Suite Portuguesa Nº2
13 Prelúdio
03’27’’
14 Burlesca
0243’’
15 Fandango
02’13’’
16 Barcarola
03’22’’
17 Texto de Abertura da Antologia
03’19’’ (Maestro António Victorino D’Almeida)
18 “SABER OUVIR”
07’45’’ (Miguel Leite)
19 Eurico Thomaz de Lima
06’57’’ Notas Biográficas
(Miguel Leite)
20 Notas de Programa
01’54’’ (Miguel Leite)
60’09’’: Total
Ref.: NUM 1210
