ENG
This being my debut album, I wanted to dive into my roots and express my feelings and thoughts in the most genuine and authentic way. The programme presented here represents a journey through Iberian piano music, featuring composers and works that have, in some way, had an impact on my life. It starts and ends with two formally structured works, serving as foundations for the entire programme: the Sonatinas by Armando José Fernandes and Xavier Montsalvatge. In a freer style, the nationalistic suites by Isaac Albéniz (España) and José Vianna da Motta (Cenas Portuguesas) represent explorations of images, landscapes, dances, or typical scenes of Spanish and Portuguese everyday life. With two composers from each country, I felt I needed a link between them: someone who could create a bridge between the two cultures. No one better than Pedro Blanco represents the fusion between Spanish and Portuguese piano music. Born in Spain, where he formed his musical and artistic personality, he moved to Portugal where he spent most of his rather short adult life. He carried out very important cultural exchanges between Spain and Portugal, devotedly contributing to a contemporary cultural Iberianism. Pedro Blanco’s three pieces included on this album share the particularity of being dedicated to Portuguese artists. My last piano teacher, Sequeira Costa, was a great interpreter of Iberian piano music. He was a major influence on my piano playing and his very personal approach to performing this repertoire has had a profound impact on my own. I remember him as I share this recording with you. Paulo Oliveira
3
