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RAIMUNDO PENAFORTE

Raimundo Penaforte is one of the most creative and captivating Brazilian musicians of his generation. Inspired by a broad range of musical genres that span classical, Latin, jazz and traditional folkloric music from his native Brazil, Penaforte has appeared nationally and internationally as a composer, conductor and performer. His works have been featured at concerts in Europe, Canada, Japan, Brazil and the United States at such venues as Lincoln Center, The White House and The Kennedy Center.

He currently resides in New York City where, in addition to his work as a composer and performer, he is a Teaching Artist for the Third Street Music School Settlement.

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1) Piano Trio ("An Eroica Trio")

Premiered by Eroica Trio. February 1999.
Review

Commissioned by AFCM.

Sponsored by: Tony and Ellen Lomonaco and AFCM.

Performances: Well over 100 times, by Eroica Trio and Valerius Ensemble (Holland), in the US, Canada, Europe, Japan and the Strelitzia Trio, Australia.

CD by Eroica Trio on EMI Classics

Raimundo Penaforte describes An Eroica Trio: trio is a generic term for a composition employing three instruments. To me An Eroica Trio is a composition scored for Adela Peña, Sara Sant'Ambrogio and Erika Nickrenz.

Astor is a movement that resembles the rhythmical aspects of tango music. Despite its connection with Piazzola, the title has no hidden intentions to turn this movement into a traditional tango.

Maurice was inspired by the passacaglia movement in Ravel's Trio. Again, there are no planned similarities with Ravel's music. The name here functions as a title only.

Capiba is the only movement that bears a resemblance to the composers music whose name is given here... and the reason is: on a beautiful Sunday morning I found myself seated in front of my computer, with a cup of coffee in my hands and my uninvited gray and white cat on my lap. As the computer downloaded the art section of my hometown newspaper, I could not believe what my eyes were seeing on the screen. There was a picture of Northeast Brazilian composer Capiba, seated on a chair with a cup of coffee in his hands and a gray and white cat on his lap.

2) Quartetice for four guitars and 'obligata et ad libitum' percussion

Premiered by Los Angeles Guitar Quartet and Raimundo Penaforte, percussion. March 2000

Commissioned by AFCM.

Sponsored by: Susan Small, Anne Nelson, Richard and Judy Sanderson, Jean-Paul Bierny and Chris Tanz.

Performances: (3/7/06):A few times in the US and Europe, by the L.A. Guitar Quartet.

CD by Los Angeles Guitar Quartet

From the composer: Quartetice is a Portuguese-inspired word of my own creation meaning “the process of writing music for four players.”

               I. Prelúdio (prelude) is a slow movement of contemplative character. It acts as an introduction to the other movements, but can also be played independently.

               II. Gangorra (seesaw) is a dancelike movement based on a northern Brazilian rhythm called baião. Repetitive harmonic and rhythmical patterns give this movement a minimalistic touch.

               III. Interlúdio (interlude) carries the same musical characteristics as the Prelúdio. It is slow and contemplative but also independent.

               IV. Frevo Barroco (Baroque Frevo) is inspired by the Brazilian street dance Frevo from the state of Pernambuco. It is a physically demanding “binary” type of dance popular during carnival celebrations. Dancers carry colorful umbrellas and their movements resemble those of Russian dancers. Its simple, marcato bass-line pattern made me think of the figured bass of the Baroque period.

               The percussion used in these movements is mostly for coloristic purposes and rhythmical accents. The term obbligato et ad libitum percussion means optional and improvised percussion.

3) "Mandoline" for String Orchestra

Premiered by O.M.A.artists (Opening Minds through the Arts), Jan. 2010

Commissioned by AFCM.

Sponsored by O.M.A. and AFCM.