Noble et sentimental: Pedro de Freitas Branco and the Interpretation of Maurice Ravel’s Music I Launch of a book by Cesário Costa (CTC)

The launch of the book Noble et sentimental: Pedro de Freitas Branco and the Interpretation of Maurice Ravel’s Music, by Cesário Costa, included a presentation by the author, Paulo Ferreira de Castro and João Almeida. In the context of this launch, which took place on December 11 at the Tivoli Theatre, it is worth highlighting Cesário Costa’s interview with Antena 2, in which the CESEM member explains his research work. The book was also released in French under the title Maurice Ravel et Pedro de Freitas Branco: un dialogue esthétique fécond entre compositeur et chef d’orchestre.

Pedro de Freitas Branco (1896-1963) was one of the most prominent figures in 20th-century Portuguese music. Throughout his career, he revitalized the Portuguese musical scene by creating various opera companies, organizing the New Symphonic Concerts of Lisbon, and serving as the conductor of the Orquestra Sinfónica da Emissora Nacional. He also developed an international career, regularly conducting different European orchestras and being regarded as a leading interpreter of Maurice Ravel’s orchestral music.

This book aims to understand the reasons behind the recognition of the Portuguese conductor’s interpretations of the French composer’s works. It also seeks to explore the aesthetic dialogue established between Maurice Ravel and Pedro de Freitas Branco and how this was fundamental to Freitas Branco’s interpretations. Additionally, it examines why the French composer might have prioritized the Portuguese conductor’s interpretations and how Freitas Branco’s approach fits into the interpretive practices of Ravel’s music, alongside other performers of his time, thus defining his unique identity as an interpreter.