Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Portugal

Birth

:

May 14, 1924 in Lisbon, Portugal

Death

:

July 18, 1988 in Lisbon, Portugal

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Symphony

 

Joly Braga Santos was a Portuguese composer who was born on May 14, 1924, in Lisbon, Portugal. He was the son of a musician and grew up in a musical family. His father, João Santos, was a violinist and conductor, and his mother, Maria Braga Santos, was a pianist. Joly Braga Santos began his musical education at a young age, studying piano and violin with his parents. At the age of 14, Joly Braga Santos entered the National Conservatory of Lisbon, where he studied composition with the renowned Portuguese composer, Luís de Freitas Branco. He also studied conducting with Pedro de Freitas Branco, Luís de Freitas Branco's brother. Joly Braga Santos was a talented student and quickly became recognized as one of the most promising young composers in Portugal. In 1947, Joly Braga Santos graduated from the National Conservatory of Lisbon and began his career as a composer. He quickly gained recognition for his works, which were characterized by their lyrical melodies, rich harmonies, and colorful orchestration. His early works, such as the Symphony No. 1 and the Suite Alentejana No. 1, were influenced by the folk music of Portugal and reflected his love for his country's culture. In the 1950s, Joly Braga Santos began to experiment with new musical forms and techniques. He was particularly interested in serialism, a method of composition that uses a series of musical pitches to create a work. His works from this period, such as the Symphony No. 2 and the Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, were characterized by their complex harmonies and intricate rhythms. In the 1960s, Joly Braga Santos became interested in electronic music and began to incorporate electronic sounds into his compositions. His works from this period, such as the Symphony No. 4 and the Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, were characterized by their use of electronic sounds and their innovative approach to orchestration. Throughout his career, Joly Braga Santos was recognized as one of Portugal's leading composers. He received numerous awards and honors, including the National Prize for Music in 1960 and the Order of Saint James of the Sword in 1988. He was also a respected conductor and served as the principal conductor of the Portuguese National Radio Symphony Orchestra from 1960 to 1963. Joly Braga Santos composed a wide range of works, including symphonies, concertos, chamber music, and vocal music. Some of his most notable works include the Symphony No. 1, the Suite Alentejana No. 1, the Symphony No. 2, the Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, the Symphony No. 4, and the Concerto for Piano and Orchestra. The Symphony No. 1, composed in 1947, is one of Joly Braga Santos's earliest works. It is a lyrical and expressive work that reflects his love for the folk music of Portugal. The Suite Alentejana No. 1, composed in 1954, is a suite of four pieces that are based on traditional folk songs from the Alentejo region of Portugal. It is a colorful and lively work that showcases Joly Braga Santos's skill as an orchestrator. The Symphony No. 2, composed in 1956, is a more complex and experimental work that reflects Joly Braga Santos's interest in serialism. It is a work of great depth and complexity that requires a high level of technical skill from the performers. The Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, composed in 1958, is a virtuosic work that showcases the soloist's technical skill and musicality.

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