Composer: Fernando Lopes-Graça
Performer: Olga Prats, Quarteto Lopes-Graça
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Toccata
Catalogue: TOCC0254
Release: 2015
Size: 232 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Piano Quartet
01. I. Allegro moderato
02. II. Largo con variazione
03. III. Allegro scherzando
14 Annotations
04. No. 1, —
05. No. 2, —
06. No. 3, —
07. No. 4, —
08. No. 5, —
09. No. 6, —
10. No. 7, —
11. No. 8, —
12. No. 9, —
13. No. 10, —
14. No. 11, —
15. No. 12, —
16. No. 13, —
17. No. 14, —
String Quartet No. 2
18. I. Grazioso
19. II. Burletta
20. III. Cavatina
21. IV. Finale
The composer Fernando Lopes-Graça (1906–94) was something of a Portuguese Shostakovich: as a committed socialist, he faced repression from Salazar’s right-wing dictatorship, his works were banned and he was stripped of his official positions. Lopes-Graça responded in music, evolving a feisty, wiry Bartókian style that drew on Portuguese folk-music.
This recording features Lopes-Graça’s own Bechstein piano, played by Olga Prats, who worked closely with him.
A Fanfare review of Vol.1 in this series said: ‘the disc should be heard by 20th-century-music lovers: It introduces three of the most personally significant works of a strong, individual voice’.
Olga Prats has long been considered one of the foremost interpreters of Portuguese piano music, and that of Fernando Lopes‐Graça in particular. She has a distinguished record as performer, in chamber music as well as a soloist and a teacher. She has worked closely with several leading composers and is the dedicatee of a number of works. She gave her debut recital in 1952 and thus has been active as a musician for over 60 years.
The Quarteto Lopes-Graça was formed at the National Conservatory School of Music in Lisbon by four of its teachers with outstanding solo and chamber careers, and has premiered the works of a number of major Portuguese composers.