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Almeida Prado: Sinfonia dos Orixás / Thomson, São Paulo Symphony Orchestra
Naxos

Almeida Prado: Sinfonia dos Orixás / Thomson, São Paulo Symphony Orchestra

$19.99

Details

Composer
Jose Antonio de Almeida Prado
Artist
Neil Thomson
Format
CD
Label
Naxos
Released
May 26, 2023
Catalog #
8574411
UPC
747313441174

About

José Antônio de Almeida Prado was one of the most admired Brazilian composers of his time. The two stylistically diverse works featured on this album exemplify different creative periods in the composer’s life. The prize-winning Pequenos funerais cantantes, which was Almeida Prado’s breakthrough as a composer, is a lament full of unique soundworlds forged from different combinations of choral and orchestral writing. The superbly orchestrated Sinfonia dos Orixás takes as its subject the Orishas (deities in the Yoruba religion) – and is a personal tribute to the rich Afro-Brazilian religious traditions, a sumptuous melodic and rhythmic feast celebrating the forces of nature.

REVIEW:

In his music, color and emotion were inextricably interwoven with the more technical aspects of his scores. His music can be described in words, but these words fail to convey its impact, which is not really definable. This music is never predictable. It always surprises the listener. It is a shame that he’s almost virtually ignored outside Brazil.

The Symphony of the Orishas, composed in 1984-85, is a masterpiece of extraordinary invention and complexity. Words do it little justice, you really need to hear and experience it for yourself. Nothing I say is going to convey the full power, richness and emotional impact of this score. Suffice it to say that I’ve heard absolutely nothing like it in a half-century of reviewing music. All I will say is that it is not at all a conventional symphony using theme and development, but rather a veritable cornucopia of sound, color and motion.

Neil Thomson is an excellent conductor who fully enters the spirit of these scores; he manages to sound Brazilian even though he isn’t. This is one of those very rare albums whose totality is greater than the sum of its parts. This is certainly one of the most interesting and culturally important releases ever put on the market.

-- The Art Music Lounge (Lynn René Bayley)

Tracklist 28 tracks

  1. 1 Corpo de fogo (Body of Fire) 01:48
    Track
    1
    Title
    Corpo de fogo (Body of Fire)
    Duration
    01:48
    Composer
    José Antônio Rezende de Almeida Prado
    Ensemble
    Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo
    Conductor
    Neil Thomson
  2. 2 Corpo de terra I (Body of Earth I) 02:11
    Track
    2
    Title
    Corpo de terra I (Body of Earth I)
    Duration
    02:11
    Composer
    José Antônio Rezende de Almeida Prado
    Ensemble
    São Paulo Symphony Choir, Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo
    Conductor
    Neil Thomson
  3. 3 Corpo de terra II (Body of Earth II) 03:50
    Track
    3
    Title
    Corpo de terra II (Body of Earth II)
    Duration
    03:50
    Composer
    José Antônio Rezende de Almeida Prado
    Ensemble
    São Paulo Symphony Choir, Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo
    Conductor
    Neil Thomson
  4. 4 Corpo de terra III (Body of Earth III) 02:01
    Track
    4
    Title
    Corpo de terra III (Body of Earth III)
    Duration
    02:01
    Composer
    José Antônio Rezende de Almeida Prado
    Ensemble
    São Paulo Symphony Choir, Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo
    Conductor
    Neil Thomson
  5. 5 Corpo de terra IV (Body of Earth IV) 02:35
    Track
    5
    Title
    Corpo de terra IV (Body of Earth IV)
    Duration
    02:35
    Composer
    José Antônio Rezende de Almeida Prado
    Ensemble
    São Paulo Symphony Choir, Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo
    Conductor
    Neil Thomson
  6. 6 Corpo de terra V (Body of Earth V) 03:37
    Track
    6
    Title
    Corpo de terra V (Body of Earth V)
    Duration
    03:37
    Composer
    José Antônio Rezende de Almeida Prado
    Performer
    Sabah Teixeira
    Ensemble
    Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo
    Conductor
    Neil Thomson
  7. 7 Corpo de terra VI (Body of Earth VI) 02:12
    Track
    7
    Title
    Corpo de terra VI (Body of Earth VI)
    Duration
    02:12
    Composer
    José Antônio Rezende de Almeida Prado
    Performer
    Clarissa Cabral
    Ensemble
    São Paulo Symphony Choir, Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo
    Conductor
    Neil Thomson
  8. 8 Corpo de silêncio (Body of Silence) 01:53
    Track
    8
    Title
    Corpo de silêncio (Body of Silence)
    Duration
    01:53
    Composer
    José Antônio Rezende de Almeida Prado
    Ensemble
    Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo
    Conductor
    Neil Thomson
  9. 9 Saudação a Exu (Salutation to Eshu) 01:39
    Track
    9
    Title
    Saudação a Exu (Salutation to Eshu)
    Duration
    01:39
    Composer
    José Antônio Rezende de Almeida Prado
    Ensemble
    Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo
    Conductor
    Neil Thomson
  10. 10 I. Chamado aos orixás: Ritual inicial (Call to the Orishas: Initial Ritual) 02:38
    Track
    10
    Title
    I. Chamado aos orixás: Ritual inicial (Call to the Orishas: Initial Ritual)
    Duration
    02:38
    Composer
    José Antônio Rezende de Almeida Prado
    Ensemble
    Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo
    Conductor
    Neil Thomson
  11. 11 II. Manifestação dos orixás (Manifestation of the Orishas): No. 1. Obatolá: O canto do universo (Obatola: Song of the Universe) 01:03
    Track
    11
    Title
    II. Manifestação dos orixás (Manifestation of the Orishas): No. 1. Obatolá: O canto do universo (Obatola: Song of the Universe)
    Duration
    01:03
    Composer
    José Antônio Rezende de Almeida Prado
    Ensemble
    Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo
    Conductor
    Neil Thomson
  12. 12 II. Manifestação dos orixás (Manifestation of the Orishas): No. 2. Ifá: O canto da adoração (Ifa: Song of Worship) 00:26
    Track
    12
    Title
    II. Manifestação dos orixás (Manifestation of the Orishas): No. 2. Ifá: O canto da adoração (Ifa: Song of Worship)
    Duration
    00:26
    Composer
    José Antônio Rezende de Almeida Prado
    Ensemble
    Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo
    Conductor
    Neil Thomson
  13. 13 II. Manifestação dos orixás (Manifestation of the Orishas): Interlúdio I: As águas do Rio Níger (Interlude I: The Waters of the Niger River) 01:37
    Track
    13
    Title
    II. Manifestação dos orixás (Manifestation of the Orishas): Interlúdio I: As águas do Rio Níger (Interlude I: The Waters of the Niger River)
    Duration
    01:37
    Composer
    José Antônio Rezende de Almeida Prado
    Ensemble
    Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo
    Conductor
    Neil Thomson
  14. 14 II. Manifestação dos orixás (Manifestation of the Orishas): No. 3. Oxalá I: O canto da luz (Oxala I: Song of the Light) 01:36
    Track
    14
    Title
    II. Manifestação dos orixás (Manifestation of the Orishas): No. 3. Oxalá I: O canto da luz (Oxala I: Song of the Light)
    Duration
    01:36
    Composer
    José Antônio Rezende de Almeida Prado
    Ensemble
    Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo
    Conductor
    Neil Thomson
  15. 15 II. Manifestação dos orixás (Manifestation of the Orishas): No. 4. Xangô I: O canto das alturas e dos abismos (Shango I: Song of the Peaks and Chasms) - 00:42
    Track
    15
    Title
    II. Manifestação dos orixás (Manifestation of the Orishas): No. 4. Xangô I: O canto das alturas e dos abismos (Shango I: Song of the Peaks and Chasms) -
    Duration
    00:42
    Composer
    José Antônio Rezende de Almeida Prado
    Ensemble
    Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo
    Conductor
    Neil Thomson
  16. 16 II. Manifestação dos orixás (Manifestation of the Orishas): No. 5. Oxalá II: O jogo dos búzios (Oxala II: Play of the Conch Shells) - 02:46
    Track
    16
    Title
    II. Manifestação dos orixás (Manifestation of the Orishas): No. 5. Oxalá II: O jogo dos búzios (Oxala II: Play of the Conch Shells) -
    Duration
    02:46
    Composer
    José Antônio Rezende de Almeida Prado
    Ensemble
    Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo
    Conductor
    Neil Thomson
  17. 17 II. Manifestação dos orixás (Manifestation of the Orishas): No. 6. Oxum: O canto dos lagos e dos rios (Oshum: Song of the Lakes and Rivers) 04:06
    Track
    17
    Title
    II. Manifestação dos orixás (Manifestation of the Orishas): No. 6. Oxum: O canto dos lagos e dos rios (Oshum: Song of the Lakes and Rivers)
    Duration
    04:06
    Composer
    José Antônio Rezende de Almeida Prado
    Ensemble
    Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo
    Conductor
    Neil Thomson
  18. 18 II. Manifestação dos orixás (Manifestation of the Orishas): Interlúdio II: As águas do Rio Níger (Interlude II: The Waters of the Niger River) - 00:49
    Track
    18
    Title
    II. Manifestação dos orixás (Manifestation of the Orishas): Interlúdio II: As águas do Rio Níger (Interlude II: The Waters of the Niger River) -
    Duration
    00:49
    Composer
    José Antônio Rezende de Almeida Prado
    Ensemble
    Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo
    Conductor
    Neil Thomson
  19. 19 II. Manifestação dos orixás (Manifestation of the Orishas): No. 7. Ogum-obá: A dança da espada e do fogo (Ogun-Oba: Dance of the Sword and Fire) 02:56
    Track
    19
    Title
    II. Manifestação dos orixás (Manifestation of the Orishas): No. 7. Ogum-obá: A dança da espada e do fogo (Ogun-Oba: Dance of the Sword and Fire)
    Duration
    02:56
    Composer
    José Antônio Rezende de Almeida Prado
    Ensemble
    Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo
    Conductor
    Neil Thomson
  20. 20 II. Manifestação dos orixás (Manifestation of the Orishas): No. 8. Ibeji: Cantiga para Cosme e Damião (Ibeji: Song for Cosmas and Damian) 04:58
    Track
    20
    Title
    II. Manifestação dos orixás (Manifestation of the Orishas): No. 8. Ibeji: Cantiga para Cosme e Damião (Ibeji: Song for Cosmas and Damian)
    Duration
    04:58
    Composer
    José Antônio Rezende de Almeida Prado
    Ensemble
    Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo
    Conductor
    Neil Thomson
  21. 21 II. Manifestação dos orixás (Manifestation of the Orishas): No. 9. Omulum: O canto da noite e do mistério (Omolu: Song of Night and Mystery) - 01:55
    Track
    21
    Title
    II. Manifestação dos orixás (Manifestation of the Orishas): No. 9. Omulum: O canto da noite e do mistério (Omolu: Song of Night and Mystery) -
    Duration
    01:55
    Composer
    José Antônio Rezende de Almeida Prado
    Ensemble
    Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo
    Conductor
    Neil Thomson
  22. 22 II. Manifestação dos orixás (Manifestation of the Orishas): No. 10. Oxalá III: O canto do amor e da alegria (Oxala III: Song of Love and Joy) 03:01
    Track
    22
    Title
    II. Manifestação dos orixás (Manifestation of the Orishas): No. 10. Oxalá III: O canto do amor e da alegria (Oxala III: Song of Love and Joy)
    Duration
    03:01
    Composer
    José Antônio Rezende de Almeida Prado
    Ensemble
    Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo
    Conductor
    Neil Thomson
  23. 23 II. Manifestação dos orixás (Manifestation of the Orishas): No. 11. Oxosse-Ossãe: O canto das matas e florestas (Oshosi-Osanyin: Song of the Woods and Forests) 07:50
    Track
    23
    Title
    II. Manifestação dos orixás (Manifestation of the Orishas): No. 11. Oxosse-Ossãe: O canto das matas e florestas (Oshosi-Osanyin: Song of the Woods and Forests)
    Duration
    07:50
    Composer
    José Antônio Rezende de Almeida Prado
    Ensemble
    Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo
    Conductor
    Neil Thomson
  24. 24 II. Manifestação dos orixás (Manifestation of the Orishas): No. 12. Iemanjá: O canto dos sete mares (Yemoja: Song of the Seven Seas) 04:58
    Track
    24
    Title
    II. Manifestação dos orixás (Manifestation of the Orishas): No. 12. Iemanjá: O canto dos sete mares (Yemoja: Song of the Seven Seas)
    Duration
    04:58
    Composer
    José Antônio Rezende de Almeida Prado
    Ensemble
    Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo
    Conductor
    Neil Thomson
  25. 25 II. Manifestação dos orixás (Manifestation of the Orishas): No. 13. Iansã: O canto da paixão (Oya: Song of Passion) 01:59
    Track
    25
    Title
    II. Manifestação dos orixás (Manifestation of the Orishas): No. 13. Iansã: O canto da paixão (Oya: Song of Passion)
    Duration
    01:59
    Composer
    José Antônio Rezende de Almeida Prado
    Ensemble
    Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo
    Conductor
    Neil Thomson
  26. 26 II. Manifestação dos orixás (Manifestation of the Orishas): No. 14. Xangô II: O canto das tempestades, raios e coriscos (Shango II: Song of Storms, Lightning and Thunderbolts) - 02:39
    Track
    26
    Title
    II. Manifestação dos orixás (Manifestation of the Orishas): No. 14. Xangô II: O canto das tempestades, raios e coriscos (Shango II: Song of Storms, Lightning and Thunderbolts) -
    Duration
    02:39
    Composer
    José Antônio Rezende de Almeida Prado
    Ensemble
    Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo
    Conductor
    Neil Thomson
  27. 27 II. Manifestação dos orixás (Manifestation of the Orishas): No. 15. Oxumarê: O canto do arco-íris (Oshunmare: Song of the Rainbow) 00:46
    Track
    27
    Title
    II. Manifestação dos orixás (Manifestation of the Orishas): No. 15. Oxumarê: O canto do arco-íris (Oshunmare: Song of the Rainbow)
    Duration
    00:46
    Composer
    José Antônio Rezende de Almeida Prado
    Ensemble
    Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo
    Conductor
    Neil Thomson
  28. 28 III. Ritual final (Final Ritual) 01:27
    Track
    28
    Title
    III. Ritual final (Final Ritual)
    Duration
    01:27
    Composer
    José Antônio Rezende de Almeida Prado
    Ensemble
    Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo
    Conductor
    Neil Thomson