Composer Luís de Freitas Branco (1890-1955) was one of the major figures of the 20th century in the cultural life of Portugal. He specialised early in both violin and piano, and was composing popular songs by the age of 14; and by 17 he was writing musical criticism in the Diário Ilustrado.
In 1910, he studied composition in Berlin and met Debussy in Paris in 1911. At the age of 26, he was appointed professor in the Conservatório de Lisboa where his colleagues were Joly Braga Santos and Maria Campina, the Algarvian pianist who went on to found the Conservatório Regional do Algarve in Faro.
In 1940, Branco was suspended from his position at the Conservatory, accused of being irreverent by behaving improperly and for an unbecoming family life, but he continued to give lectures on national radio. He had no children with his wife, while his son João was born to Maria Filgueiras, who had Belgian ancestry.
The Algarve History Association has invited Alexandre Delgado, broadcaster on Antena 2, orchestral player of the viola and composer to give a presentation on Luís de Freitas Branco, a name synonymous with Portuguese culture.
Alexandre Delgado was one of the original members of the Lacerda Quartet and he now plays viola with the Moscow Piano Quartet. His presentation will take place on Tuesday, February 10 in the Municipal Library of Lagoa and on Wednesday, February 11 in the Municipal Library of Tavira, both events starting at 6pm.
lynnebooker@sapo.pt
Photo: Composer Alexandre Delgado
