On December 6th, 2024, at 5:30 pm, Lloyd Ultan Hall at the University of Minnesota’s School of Music will host a special recital by Alvaro Henrique, a first-year DMA student and Teaching Assistant at UMN. This recital features works by composers born in Brasília, presenting a diverse range of compositions that reflect the city’s unique musical culture. The program aims to promote a local musical identity, with Alvaro having personally commissioned several pieces to highlight the creativity and talent of his hometown.
Program Highlights: Composers and Their Works
Cairo Victor, a well-known arranger and music producer, will be represented by his piece Toccata para Vó Terezinha. This composition incorporates elements of caipira music, a rural Brazilian folk style, as a tribute to his grandmother, blending tradition with classical guitar technique.
Diego Galeno has composed Sonata Legião, a work in three movements that pays homage to Legião Urbana, the most famous rock band to emerge from Brasília. The sonata captures the spirit of the city’s rock scene, for which Brasília is renowned as a birthplace of several iconic Brazilian rock bands.
Gabriel Santinello offers two deeply personal compositions: Memórias and Atmosferas Sensíveis. Memórias is a poignant reflection on the loss of his mother during his childhood, while Atmosferas Sensíveis marks his first attempt to incorporate caipira music into his style, presenting a mosaic of sounds and scenes.
Luciana Lins composed Fé (Faith) during the COVID pandemic, a piece that resonates with themes of hope and resilience amidst uncertainty, embodying the emotional struggles and perseverance of the time.
Murilo Oliveira’s Capricho Ipê draws inspiration from the Ipê, Brasília’s symbolic tree, and from the set of “Caprichos” composed by Hamilton de Holanda, a leading instrumentalist from Brasília. This piece connects local nature with Brasília’s musical heritage, showcasing Oliveira’s ability to weave cultural references into his compositions.
Joel Hobbs, a Texas-born composer, adds an international dimension to the program with Da Poeira da Terra. This was Alvaro Henrique’s first commission featuring caipira music elements, and the piece has been influential in encouraging Brazilian composers to explore the possibilities of integrating caipira influences in classical guitar compositions.
A Step Toward a Distinct Musical Identity
This recital is more than a performance—it’s a project to foster and showcase the unique contributions of Brasília’s composers to the classical guitar repertoire. Alvaro’s dedication to commissioning and performing these works underscores his belief in the value of local culture and its potential to make a lasting impact on the global stage.
Event Details
Date: December 6, 2024 (Friday)
Time: 5:30 pm
Location: Lloyd Ultan Hall, Ferguson Hall, University of Minnesota’s School of Music
Join Alvaro Henrique for an evening that promises a deep dive into the musical identity of Brasília, a city whose composers continue to shape the Brazilian classical music landscape.
