Luis de Freitas Branco – Quartetto de Cordas and Sonata para Violoncello e Piano
On this particular CD, we are presented with two distinct pieces composed by Luis de Freitas Branco – the Quartetto de Cordas and the Sonata para Violoncello e Piano. Freitas Branco, a notable name in Portugal’s pantheon of classical composers, has portrayed a wide range of techniques and emotions in these two compositions.
The Takács Quartet, renowned worldwide for their brilliance and cohesion as a chamber music quartet, takes up the task of performing Branco’s Quartetto de Cordas and they do no less than justice to the marvellously complex creation of the celebrated composer. There is an impressive balance between every playing part, an intricate polyphony that is maintained and manipulated to bring this intriguing piece to life.
Miklós Perényi, a master cellist, and Jenö Jandó, a virtuoso pianist, team up to deliver the Sonata para Violoncello e Piano to astounding effect. They handle Branco’s whimsical leaps from delicacy to power to playful acrobatics with a nuanced understanding, their instruments converging and diverging beautifully, revealing the rich tapestry of ideas that Branco had penned.
The pieces were recorded at Lisbon University and Hungaroton Studio in Budapest, in February 1979 and 1980 respectively. The sound quality is superb, allowing listeners to not only follow individual lines but also concoct the intricate and nuanced interaction of voices.
At just over 43 minutes, this CD may be relatively brief, but it is densely packed with both exquisite music and exceptional performances. It is a fine exploration of Branco’s oeuvre, allowing us to listen in as the composer paints an opulent soundtrack with his vividly imaginative brush. Both works exhibit a refined yet lively creativity on Branco’s part, filled with achingly beautiful melodies and dramatic emotion.
This album is a compelling testament to the intense lyricism and evocative power of Branco’s music. Every detail, every phrase, every change of mood, has been masterfully handled by the performers, making it not just a pleasing auditory experience, but also an insightful study into the compositions of a remarkable composer.
In essence, this is an expressive, intense and beautifully executed recording that successfully encapsulates the dynamic and inventive range of Luis de Freitas Branco’s work. It is highly recommended to anyone seeking to appreciate the breadth and depth of his compositions in a new light.
