Braga-Santos, Joly: Alfama (Naxos Audio CD)  

Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Álvaro Cassuto


Joly Braga Santos composed in a wide variety of forms, faithfully mirrored in this selection of his highly appealing music.

The Elegy was written for his famous compatriot, the pianist Vianna da Motta, whilst the Symphonic Overture No. 3 utilises his own brand of folkloric material. Braga Santos’s Three Symphonic Sketches offer colouristic virility, full of supercharged rhythmic energy. The Variations for Orchestra reflects a compositional change, more elusive but highly subtle, and Alfama is a delightful ballet score.