Like football (soccer) and coffee, the guitar is inextricably linked with Brazil in the collective imagination. Yet despite it's significance to the country's musical identity, the major class divide in the colonial period saw the guitar dismissed as an instrument of the common, uneducated populace, in contrast to the piano, which represented the aspirations of the wealthier middle classes. Things changed in the early 20th century, however. In 1916 a performance by Italian-Brazilian guitarist Canhoto won over both media and Brazilian elite, heralding the start of a new era for the guitar, and various Italian luthiers moved to the New World, taking advantage of the great market opportunities Brazil offered to turn their craft production into a more industrial enterprise. The guitar's status as a national symbol rests on an identity-building process combining various elements, and that mix of cultural influences can be seen in the compositions of Radame's Gnattali (1906-1988). He used elements of popular music in his supposedly high-brow compositions, blurring the boundary between the two styles. Gnattali fought relentlessly to break down the barriers between classical and popular music, becoming the most important - and most prolific - Brazilian composer in the guitar repertoire of the 1950s. His music has it's own unique sound, featuring magnificent writing for the instrument, unexpected harmonic solutions and boundless inspiration. The Brazilian composer, pianist and conductor Francisco Mignone (1897-1986) - another musician of Italian heritage - was considered a 'nationalist' by scholars and 'high-brow' by those from the world of popular music. His vast oeuvre for guitar includes two large cycles - the Estudos (recorded here) and the Valsas - which showcase exceptional technical flair and impressive stylistic versatility, delving into everything from popular music to serialism.

Tracklist:

10 Studies for Guitar-I. Presto Possibile
10 Studies for Guitar-II. Valsa Seresteira
10 Studies for Guitar-III. Moderato
10 Studies for Guitar-IV. Lento Espressivo
10 Studies for Guitar-V. Allegretto
10 Studies for Guitar-VI. Ritmado
10 Studies for Guitar-VII. Comodo
10 Studies for Guitar-VIII. Moderato E Poco Rubato
10 Studies for Guitar-IX. Lento
10 Studies for Guitar-X. Dolente
Three Concert Studies for Guitar-Dansa Brasileira
Three Concert Studies for Guitar-Tocata Em Forma de Samba No. 1
Three Concert Studies for Guitar-Tocata Em Forma de Samba No. 2
Petite Suite-I. Pastoral
Petite Suite-II. Toada
Petite Suite-III. Frevo
Brasiliana No. 13-I. Samba Bossa - Nova
Brasiliana No. 13-II. Valsa
Brasiliana No. 13-III. Choro
12 Studies for Guitar-I. Vivo
12 Studies for Guitar-II. Seresteiro
12 Studies for Guitar-III. Tempo de Chorinho
12 Studies for Guitar-IV. Allegro Scherzoso
12 Studies for Guitar-V. Vagaroso
12 Studies for Guitar-VI. Assai Vivo
12 Studies for Guitar-VII. Molto Lento
12 Studies for Guitar-VIII. Allegro
12 Studies for Guitar-IX. Allegro Moderato
12 Studies for Guitar-X. Lento E Com Muito Sentimento
12 Studies for Guitar-XI. Andante
12 Studies for Guitar-XII. Com Velocidade

UPC: 5028421964102
Label: Brilliant Classics
Release Date: 5.27.22
Format: CD

Gnattali / Monarda - Complete (2pk) (CD)