FERNANDO LOPES-GRAÇA (1906-1994): Divertimento, Op. 107, Sinfonieta, Op. 220 “Homenagem a Haydn”, 5 Velhos Romances Portugueses, Op. 98 (First Recording), 4 Invenções, Op. 148.

Description: Lopes-Graça was one of Portugal’s greatest composers of the 20th century, whose artistic credo was the binding together of the folk music of his native country with modern techniques to create an alternative and original national identity. With its constantly shifting tonal context the Divertimento perfectly captures Lopes-Graça’s inimitable style, which is further enriched in the concisely constructed Sinfonieta by his admiration for Haydn. The moving, even tragic Velhos Romances Portugueses are based on traditional ballads while the challenging Invenções, in the composer’s words, explore ‘essentially atonal dramatic expressionism’. Portuguese Symphony Orchestra; Bruno Borralhinho.