Sonata Brasileira Antonio Vaz Lemes

• André Mehmari (b. 1977): Sonata in A:
• 1 Sonata in A: I. Alegremente, não muito 08:04
• 2 Sonata in A: II. Intro, Coral e Riffs 08:53
• Camargo Guarnieri (1907 - 1993): Sonata:
• 3 Sonata: I. Tenso 04:26
• 4 Sonata: II. Amargurado 07:51
• 5 Sonata: III. Triunfante - Enérgico (Fuga a 3 partes) - Triunfante 05:23
• Marcelo Amazonas: Sonatina, Hommage à Francis Poulenc:
• 6 Sonatina, Hommage à Francis Poulenc: I. Decidido e Articulado 03:29
• 7 Sonatina, Hommage à Francis Poulenc : II. Lamurioso 04:00
• 8 Sonatina, Hommage à Francis Poulenc : III. Rápido 02:56
• E. Villani Côrtes (b. 1930): Sonata No. 1 in C :
• 9 Sonata No. 1 in C : I. Allegreto - Lenda 05:40
• 10 Sonata No. 1 in C : II. Lentamente - Cantilena 05:15
• 11 Sonata No. 1 in C : III. Preto - Corrupio 01:57
• Total Runtime 57:54

Info for Sonata Brasileira

Antonio Vaz Lemes conceived this album as a reflection of Brazil’s diverse musical influences: “we have all these nationalities living together”. Brazilian rhythms, African roots, European and North American influences, jazz and rock, all rub shoulders in Brazil, and throughout this collection of piano sonatas.

Mehmari’s Sonata was composed specifically for Antonio Vaz Lemes, using rhapsodic, improvisatory techniques reminiscent of jazz, alongside influences as wide-ranging as Prokofiev, Liszt, and the playful lyricism of Brazilian popular music.

Guarnieri’s Sonata takes the listener on a journey from tension, to bitterness, to triumph, while Amazonas’s Sonatina is a tribute to the urbane wit of Francis Poulenc.

Villani-Côrtes is one of Brazil’s most performed living composers, respected both as a popular musician and as a classical composer. On listening to this recording of Antionio Vaz Lemes performing his Sonata, Villani-Côrtes declared: “At that moment, I felt my life reached its climax!”

Currently residing in São Paulo, Antonio Vaz Lemes is a Professor at the Municipal School of Arts Initiation (EMIA). Sonata Brasileira is his first solo album; his collaborative album with countertenor Edson Cordeiro was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award.

“… a most impressive debut album for Antonio Vaz Lemes, showcasing these four splendid and life-affirming piano sonatas from Brazil.” (Music Web International)

Antonio Vaz Lemes, piano

Antonio Vaz Lemes
Born in São Paulo, Antonio Vaz Lemes is a solo pianist, chamber music performer and accompanist, with considerable experience and training in both popular and classical music. He is a graduate of prestigious Brazilian institutions such as the Conservatory of Tatuí, the Arts Institute of UNESP (the São Paulo State University), and EMESP (Escola de Música do Estado de São Paulo) Tom Jobim.

Antonio Vaz Lemes also studied in France, taking lessons with Noël Lee, and attending the Conservatoire Américain de Fontainebleau and the Académie Francis Poulenc. In addition to classes and masterclasses, he received guidance from teachers including Phillipe Entremont, Alicia de Larrocha, Jean Phillipe Collard, Christian Ivaldi, Nahin Marum, and Gilberto Tinetti.

Antonio Vaz Lemes has performed as a concert soloist with Brazilian orchestras such as Eleazar de Carvalho’s Festival, Symphonics from Paraíba, Campo Grande, Tatuí, and Sergipe. He has also collaborated with renowned figures of the Brazilian classical music scene. Of particular significance is his partnership with the singer Edson Cordeiro, with whom he recorded the acclaimed album Contratenor (Countertenor), which, in 2006, was nominated for the Latin Grammy Awards® in the category Best Classical Album.

With the support of a CAPES Foundation research grant, Antonio Vaz Lemes earned his Master's degree in piano performance from the Arts Institute of UNESP, with a research paper entitled Pianistic fingerings and their relationships with technical and musical principles.

Currently residing in São Paulo, Antonio Vaz Lemes is a Professor at the Municipal School of Arts Initiation (EMIA), where he develops numerous pedagogical activities related to childhood piano instruction. Sonata Brasileira is his first solo album, representing his technique, musicality, and his artistic interests and concerns.

This album contains no booklet.