Póvoa de Varzim Symphonic Orchestra
Osvaldo Ferreira (conductor)
Organization/Event Póvoa do Varzim Music Festival
Venue Concert Hall
Town Póvoa do Varzim
Country Portugal
Program Notes
The rediscovery of the Portuguese writer Eça de Queirós, regrettably forgotten by me for a long time, has encouraged me to read his book of tales that, to a certain extend, have influenced this piece, chiefly its form.
This is a piece edified over an introduction and eleven short consequent sections. Each of these sections has different and contrasting music taken or inspired by old pieces I have written: if on one hand there are moments where the source is clear, on the other hand the influence is thin. These “new” sections are a representation of natural evolution in my current compositional course.
All these sections are separated by a chord that interrupts them, serving as a trigger for a new musical idea. This chord, first presented in the introduction is disposed symmetrically and contains 12 different notes. Instead of becoming static, the chord is, to a certain extent, the only musical material that develops (although very little) throughout the piece: each time it appears it loses notes (not in a linear way) arriving to the D octaves that trigger the last section.
One last observation is in Lutoslawski’s music, which teaches me the contrast, the interruption, the narrative recommence.
In metaphoric terms and evoking the inspiring Eça de Queirós this piece is, for me, my book of tales, my reminiscences (or memories) where one can find – when turning a page – new characters, small ones, but with a differentiated story.
(Or if we want, the turn of a corner that is always surprising with new landscapes. Or the radio station that offers us different music at a time of turning a button).
Hugo Ribeiro March ‘07
Prizes
Name of Award Póvoa do Varzim - 2nd International Composition Award - Category Dmitri Shostakovich: Orchestra
