José Maurício Nunes Garcia (1767-1830)

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