The Algarve History Association (AHA) concentrates this month on music.
At 5pm on Saturday, May 25, our young friend Nikola Meeuwsen returns to the Algarve from his busy schedule in The Netherlands to play his seventh concert for us.
The principal work in this concert will be Beethoven’s monumental Hammerklavier Sonata (Nº 29 Op. 106), reputed to be one of the most challenging solo works in the classical piano repertoire.
Its first documented public performance was in 1836, when it was played in Paris by another genius at the keyboard, Franz Liszt. Directions to Quintinha da Música, near Tavira, and reservations at €25 per person may be had through Peter at peterbooker1347@gmail.com
By way of a complete musical contrast, Peter this month concentrates on one of the fundamental elements of Portuguese culture, the music and lyrics of Fado. He shows that the origins of the different forms of Fado and its defining musical format are the subjects of continuing debate, as Fado singers continue to vary their accompaniments from the traditional guitars.
This music form is often difficult for us foreigners to understand because many of the lyrics are incomprehensible to us as they are sung in Portuguese. For this reason, Peter illustrates his presentation with 10 Fados, together with the translations of the lyrics into English.
Peter’s presentations will be in the municipal libraries on Tuesday, May 28, at 6pm in Lagoa; and on Friday, May 31, at 11am in Tavira.
As usual, there will be the opportunity to donate to the running costs of the AHA.
By PETER BOOKER
