Francisco Mignone: Concertos and Concertinos

Is there a way to subscribe to The Music of Brazil series from Naxos? I've auditioned quite a few, and there isn't a clunker in the bunch. 

This latest installment is a collection of concertos and concertinos by Francisco Mignone. Mignone was one of Brazil's most important composers. He's often ranked just under Heitor Villa-Lobos in stature. 

As a boy, Mignone played popular music in the Choro style. He had his own orchestra at 13, performing and writing under the name Chico Bororó. He wanted to keep his work in popular music separate from his serious studies. 

It may have worked on paper, but not in practice. Mignone imbues his music with the rhythms and melodies of Brazilian folk music. It came to define the Brazilian classical style, as these four works demonstrate.

The 1975 Guitar Concerto blends several Brazilian dance elements in its finale. The 1957 Bassoon Concerto features extended dialogues between the soloist and the ensemble. Here Mignone references the traditions of embolada, a form of Brazilian poetry. 

The 1960 Violin Concerto has a different character. Mignon strove for a more cosmopolitan style, and he mostly succeeded. But there's still no doubt as to the work's country of origin. 

The São Paulo Symphony Orchestra has been a mainstay for this series. And they don't disappoint. The ensemble plays with energy and finesse. 

Another fine addition to this exceptional series.

Francisco Mignone: Concertos and Concertinos
Guitar Concerto; Clarinet Concertino;
Bassoon Concertino; Violin Concerto
Emmanuele Baldini, violin; Fabio Zanon, guitar;
Ovanir Buosi, clarinet, Alexandre Silverio, bassoon
Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra; Neil Thomson, Giancarlo Guerroro, conductors
Naxos 8574573