Polifonia Portuguesa II

A música polifónica portuguesa é hoje manifestamente emergente na senda internacional, assistindo-se à publicação de inúmeras edições discográficas dedicadas exclusivamente a este período da música portuguesa, com a participação de alguns dos mais reputados coros internacionais, nomeadamente: Westminster Choir, William Byrd Choir, Queens College Choir (Oxford), Ars Nova.

Sobre a importância deste período da música portuguesa transcrevo parte de um texto de Charlotte Gardener (crítica musical da BBC), datado 5 de Julho de 2007, o qual é disposto a respeito de uma gravação discográfica do Westminster Choir.

"An uplifting and contemplative performance of neglected music which deserves to be better known. Few of us will have much, if any, knowledge of 16th and 17th century Portuguese music, thanks to the unfortunate fact that few Portuguese composers had their works published during their lifetimes. The upshot was that many of these wonderful masses and motets were to be preserved only in manuscript form, doomed to languish in libraries for centuries, unknown to all but a few. We’re particularly indebted therefore to James O’Donnell and the Choir of Westminster Cathedral for bringing this delectable music to a wider audience. Whilst reminiscent of Palestrina, these works are far more than a Portuguese take on that famous Italian. Unique in feeling and musical structure, it is a crime they have been neglected for so long"