Symphonies _______________________________________________________________
The 9 Symphonies
Symphony 1
«Equinócio de Março»
String Orchestra - 4 movements, 14mn
Equinox celebration in Cape-Verde archipelago: deep blue, strong wind, profound shadows, tumultuous ocean, magnificent sunset
Music and images: Symphony 1 (version for string quartet)
Symphony 2
«Solstício de Junho»
Symphony Orchestra - 3 Movements, 20mn
Instrumentation:2Fl-2Ob-2Cl-2Bsn-4Fhns-2Tpt-2Tbn-1perc-Vln1-Vln2-Vla-Vc-Db
Vasco Martins began this symphony in February 1998, on São Vicente, in a house located at the very center of that island that he used exclusively for rehearsal, composition, and creative inspiration.
He finished the basic orchestration in February 2002, and the final revision in 2004. It is a work of intense rhythmic vitality, and engaging density:a magical and epic projection of Cape Verde Islands.
“The inspiring strength of the volcanic mountains, the people’s hope, the rhythmic energies, the sea an the winds with their immense strength, the cycle of the rains and the droughts, the afflicting need for emigration that is ever present in the psyche of the capeverdean islander, and their visceral connection to this desert country” VM
Symphony 3
«Arquipélago magnético»
Symphony Orchestra - 2 movements and final, 23mn
Instrumentation:2Fl-2Ob-2Cl-2Bsn-4Fhns-2Tpt-2Tbn-1perc-Vln1-Vln2-Vla-Vc-Db
Magnetic Cape Verde
Music and images: Symphony 3, Movement 1
Symphony 4
«Buda Dharma»
Symphony Orchestra - 1 movement , 19mn
Instrumentation:Picc/2Fl-2Ob-2Cl-2Bsn-4Fhns-2Tpt-2Tbn-Tuba-2perc-Vln1-Vln2-Vla-Vc-Db
«This symphony was written in ten days, in March 2001, when I was reading a book about Dharma Buda (the way of Buddha). I was deeply touched by the life and the profound message of his ensine.
I wrote the orchestration directly onto paper, while at the most diverse spots on the island of São Vicente -places of magic-in the mountains, near the ocean, below a date or old almond trees, at the end of the afternoon, and at dawn, following the rhythm of the notes and the rhythm of these randomly chosen sites.
Destiny, chaos, (or the laws of karma, if we would prefer, or luck, which perhaps is the same thing) ordained that this Symphony was presented for the first time in the metropolis of São Paulo, Brazil, on September 30 and October 7, 2001, by the Symphonic Orchestra of Radio Cultura, directed by the Maestro Lutero Rodriques.
Is a symphony that I try to transmit plenitude and tranquility .By nature, we are light that is constantly obscured» VM
Music and images: Symphony 4 extract
Symphony 5
Himalaias
Symphony Orchestra - 6 movements, 43mn
Instrumentation:2Fl-2Ob-2Cl-2Bsn-4Fhns-2Tpt-2Tbn-2perc-Vln1-Vln-Vla-Vc-Db
Symphony 6
«Monte Verde»
Symphony orchestra - 1 movement, 13mn
Instrumentation:2Fl-2Ob-2Cl-2Bsn-4Fhns-2Tpt-2Tbn-1perc-Vln1-Vln2-Vla-Vc-Db
Monte Verde (Green Mountain ) in S.Vicente Island is a mountain of clouds with endemic plants and small but happy birds that fly in a vertiginous fashion.It is a place which is pure, fresh, and the home of the Falco Alexandri (known for its stationery flying). It is also the land of the ocean’ eagle, Pandion halieatus. Monte Verde is situated under five suspended islands, under the blue Atlantic Ocean ; and is a mysterious mountain of brume, a hymn to Life and Nature.
Music and images:Symphony 6, extract
Symphony 7
« Alba »
Classical orchestra, 1 movement, 23mn
Instrumentation: 2Fl-2Ob-2Cl-2Bsn-2Fhns-2Tpt-1perc-Vln1-Vln2-Vla-
Vc-Db
Symphony 8
«A procura da Luz» (The search for light)
Symphony orchestra -1 movement, 14mn
Instrumentation:2Fl-2Ob-2Cl-2Bsn-4Fhns-2Tpt-2Tbn-1perc-Vln1-Vln2-Vla-Vc-Db
Music and images:Symphony 8, extract
Symphony 9
«mare Oceanus»
Symphony orchestra, 1 movimento, 16mn
Instrumentation:2Fl-2Ob-2Cl-2Bsn-4Fhns-2Tpt-2Tbn-1perc-Vln1-Vln2-Vla-Vc-Db
Music and images: Symphony 9
Album with 4 recorded symphonies: CD 4 Symphonies