Rafaell Altino takes his art to various parts of the globe as a soloist and chamber musician. In addition, he has served as the principal violist of the Odense Symphony Orchestra since 1997. A strong advocate for contemporary music, his latest album focuses on a significant group of contemporary viola pieces composed by women born or based in Brazil. Presenting BRAZILIAN WOMEN COMPOSERS: MUSIC FOR VIOLA, featuring works by Marisa Rezende (1944), Ilza Nogueira (1948), Silvia de Lucca (1960), Tatiana Catanzaro (1976), Rami Levin (1954), and Jocy de Oliveira (1936).

In Brasil, 1959 “Uma Seresta para Villa”, Ilza Nogueira pays homage to Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959) by incorporating harmonies and melodic gestures reminiscent of his serenades. The piece features the participation of the award-winning pianist Ana Lúcia Altino, Rafaell’s mother, and the refinement of their duo is evident in every musical phrase. Diálogo, according to its composer Marisa Rezende, “embraces different states of mind”, a premise wonderfully substantiated by Rafaell Altino’s versatile interpretation. The nuances of his art also embrace electroacoustic sounds in Tatiana Catanzaro’s Intarsia; and they are girded by them, creating an opulent sonic sea in the process.

BRAZILIAN WOMEN COMPOSERS: MUSIC FOR VIOLA stands as a unique and relevant recording. With exquisite performances and captivating works of contemporary classical music, it offers an essential perspective on the female contribution to the Brazilian artistic scene, weaving a seductive dialogue between different styles. Diverse arts, by women who need to be heard.

Text: Daniel Bento – @enxerguemusica