ANTÓNIO VICTORINO D'ALMEIDA (b.1940): Symphony No. 1, Op. 21 (Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra; António Victorina D'Almeida, O Judeu, Op. 34 (Nova Filarmonia Portuguesa; Álvaro Cassuto), Memórias de Amanhã, Op. 99 (Orquestra Sinfónica Portuguesa; Cassuto), Abertura Clássica, Op. 87 (Bruckner Orchestra Linz; D'Almeida).
Catalogue Number: 12K013
Label: Numérica
Reference: NUM 1160
Format: CD
Price: $14.98
Description: Considered one of the finest Portuguese pianists of his generation, D'Almeida also has written a vast quantity of music in every field from solo piano works to film and theatre scores (not neglecting opera). He cheerfully admits to using whatever style he feels necessary to say what he has to say and gives us vivid pictures of the motivating sources for the works presented here. No dates are given but since the symphony, based on childhood impressions and memories of game-day, is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Benfica soccer team, we know that it dates from 2004. The kaleidoscopic colors of vendors, rival supporters, crowd noise, the traffic and scenery around the huge stadium, bring forth a equal outpouring of vivid music with a Villa-Lobosian profligacy of orchestration. Two tone poems are equally vivid in their colorful, romantic nature while the "Classical Overture" is written in the style of Schubert but using traditional Portuguese-style themes (this apparently was a bet with a fellow composer). A wonderful, fattening feast of 77 minutes, sure to delight collectors of Portuguese or any kind of tonal, immediately approachable contemporary music.