Kate Molleson explore the life and music of Afro-Brazilian composer José Maurício Nunes Garcia

Composer of the Week shines the spotlight on the Afro-Brazilian composer José Maurício Nunes Garcia. Hailed by some as the Father of Brazilian Classical Music, and compared by others to Mozart and Haydn, this series delves into the life and music of this once hugely prolific and popular composer. Born in Rio de Janeiro, both his parents were children of slaves. Thanks to his exceptional musical talents, Garcia was able to move from his poverty-stricken beginnings to the very top of his society. He became Master of Music at the Cathedral. Later, when the Portuguese Court established themselves in the city, Garcia was appointed Master of Music at the Chapel Royal and Court Composer. Kate Molleson is joined by Professor Marcelo Hazan from the University of South Carolina and Professor Kirsten Schultz from Seton Hall University who help her explore Garcia’s incredible life story and music.

A hugely influential teacher of music from early on, Garcia established his own free music school and was invited into the homes of the elite to teach their daughters. His trajectory wasn’t always plain sailing however and he frequently encountered racism. When it came to Garcia entering the Priesthood in the early 1790s, he had to undergo a number of tests to prove his worth, including providing impeccable references to offset the official concerns about his family background. Garcia was ordained, and with his musical skills finally recognised by the Church and Portuguese Court, he became the go-to composer for Saints Days, Royal occasions, and other commissions. However, many European musicians who came to Rio de Janeiro were not keen to be conducted by someone of his race. Eventually, Brazil gained independence from the Portuguese Empire and Garcia’s Royal employers were returned to Portugal, leaving Garcia struggling during turbulent times.


Music Featured:

Missa pastoril para a noite de natal (Kyrie eleison)
Tenuisti manum dexteram meam
Missa pastoril para a noite de natal (excerpt)
Fantasy No 1
Fantasy No 2
Lição No 7 da Segunda Parte
Tota Pulchra es Maria
Zemira, Overture
Immutemur Habitu
Sinfonia fúnebre
Tenuisti Manum
Crux Fidelis
Popule Meus
Francisco Manuel da Silva: Brazilian National Anthem
Fantasy No 6
Requiem Mass (excerpt)
Dies Sanctificatus
Justus cum ceciderit
Judas Mercator pessimus
Missa pastoril para a noite de natal (excerpt)
Overture in D major
Marcos António Portugal: Cuidados, tristes cuidados
Beijo a mão que me condena
Laudate pueri
In Monte Oliveti
Josef Haydn:  Piano Sonata No. 62 in E flat, Hob. WVI: 52 (Finale)
Lição No 8 da Primeira Parte
Lição No 4 da Segunda Parte
Lição No 8 da Segunda Parte
Laudate dominum
Requiem Mass (excerpt)
Creed No 9 in B flat (excerpt)
Fantasy No 4
Missa de Nossa Senhora da Concição (excerpt)
Lição No 3 da Segunda Parte
Lição No 6 da Segunda Parte
Requiem Mass (excerpt)
Domine Tu Mihi Lavas Pedes
Inter Vestibulum


Presented by Kate Molleson
Produced by Luke Whitlock for BBC Audio Wales and West

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for José Maurício Nunes Garcia (1767-1830) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001qvv7

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z

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José Maurício Nunes Garcia (1767-1830)

Composer of the Week