Valsas Brasileiras (Brazilian Waltzes) for piano, Volume One

Alexandra Mascolo-David (Performer, Composer), Francisco Mignone (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Alexandra Mascolo-David, Francisco Mignone
• Composer: Alexandra Mascolo-David
• Audio CD (February 28, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• ASIN: B00005IA4C
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #330,228 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Newspaper: The Washington Post, October 2, 1999
"Alexandra Mascolo-David, a splendid pianist - refined, searching and expressive, and her playing is loaded with insight and interpretative detail."

Product Description
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.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 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

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.