Valsas Brasileiras (Brazilian Waltzes) for piano, Volume One

Alexandra Mascolo-David (Performer, Composer), Francisco Mignone (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Alexandra Mascolo-David, Francisco Mignone
• Composer: Alexandra Mascolo-David
• Audio CD (February 28, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: CDBY
• ASIN: B00005IA4C
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #458,076 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

This recording of the Brazilian Waltzes of Francisco Mignone is very significant, because it is the first time that these waltzes have been recorded outside of Brasil. The compositions of Francisco Mignone, like much of the Brazilian art music of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, show the influence of the three cultures that form the country’s complex heritage. European music, Amerindian music, and African music collided, mixed, and gave rise --over the course of centuries-- to a uniquely Brazilian idiom. Mignone’s life as a composer contains well-defined periods that demonstrate a microcosm of this cultural history: his earliest works showcase his Italian-French training, while his mature output gives voice to a new genre of Brazilian art music, rich in folk tonalities within Romantic structures. Although Mignone explored serialism and atonality in his later years, he is best known for his nationalistic works, especially his orchestral pieces and art songs. Yet, he was equally accomplished as a composer of music for solo piano. Mignone wrote over two hundred pieces for pianoforte, in which the evolution of his style, as well as the quality and versatility of his writing, show his mind as one of an exceptional artist. Among his piano compositions are études, preludes, legends, sonatinas, sonatas, and waltzes.

All of Mignone’s waltzes carry the influence of his youthful practice of serenading in the streets of São Paulo, improvising choros (popular songs, often with a nostalgic character) on his flute, to the accompaniment of cavaquinhos (ukeleles) and violões (guitars). Consequently, he makes frequent musical allusions to guitar figurations in his waltzes. In some cases, Mignone implies the analogy by the characteristics of the musical writing, while in others, he specifically notates imitando o violão (imitating the guitar) in the score. These guitar-like devices include arpeggiated chords, repeated pitches, and staccato touch, all combined with rubato—that defining characteristic of Brazilian guitar and dance music.

Mignone composed the 24 Valsas Brasileiras in two sets of twelve pieces. He completed the first set between 1963 and 1979, and the second in 1984, two years before his death. Mignone dedicated the first set to a number of his friends, and the second to his second wife, Maria Josephina. These waltzes represent the culmination of his musical style and are, in essence, an emotional diary. To help in capturing a nostalgic mood, he emphasizes minor keys throughout each set. Although Mignone wrote them late in his life—at a time when he experimented with more contemporary styles of composition—they are clearly tonal. They unite nationalistic and traditional nineteenth-century musical elements, and contain a rich melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic vocabulary.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous new CD, September 30, 2001

By 

Alex Zsolt (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Valsas Brasileiras (Brazilian Waltzes) for piano, Volume One (Audio CD)

I recommend this CD to all who desire to hear a solo piano recording that is done with style, class and perfection. With great artistry Alexandra Mascolo David captures the elegant yet sophisticated works of Francisco Mingnone. Few pianists are truly artists. Alexandra Mascolo David's playing has earned the title of "piano extrodinaire" by showing off her matchless skills at the keyboard. This is a must have album for any musician, music student, or for anyone who can appreciate what good music can sound like.

5.0 out of 5 stars A real find!, November 3, 2010

By 

J. Snowden (Australia) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Valsas Brasileiras (Brazilian Waltzes) for piano, Volume One (Audio CD)

I bought this on the strength of the favourable reviews here and they are absolutely right. The pianist is brilliant. Mignone's piano music is intriguing, absorbing and sometimes haunting. Recorded sound is excellent. Volume 2 is also worth having. The flamboyant Brazilian pianist Clelia Iruzun, who knew the composer, has also issued a fine recording of his music. Buy all three recordings for your collection. Snap them up before they disappear from the catalogues.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful 20th century Brasilian music, December 7, 2009

By 

michael harris (Prag) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Valsas Brasileiras (Brazilian Waltzes) for piano, Volume One (Audio CD)

As a non-pianist (but as an amateur classical guitarist) I will not comment on the technical performance of these waltzes, but musically the interpretation is wonderful. Francisco Mignone was an extremely interesting composer of many, many works and wrote several series of "Brasilian" waltzes (for piano, for solo guitar, for bassoon) that incorporate certain 20th century modernistic compositional techniques but are eminently listenable as beautiful and interesting music.

I cannot get these tunes out of my head!