Retrato I and Retrato II, by Gilberto Mendes: musical analysis and performance

• Grant number: 09/14702-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2009
• End date: November 30, 2010
• Field of knowledge: Linguistics, Literature and Arts - Arts - Music
• Principal Investigator: Adriana Lopes da Cunha Moreira
• Grantee: Cibele Odete Palopoli
• Host Institution: Escola de Comunicações e Artes (ECA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The present project of Scientific Initiation proposes musical analysis and performance of Retrato I (1974), for flute and clarinet in Bb, and Retrato II (1979), for two flutes, by the Brazilian composer Gilberto Mendes (b. 1922). Both pieces were written during his second compositional period, and they can be associated to the vanguard music of that time. We intent to comprehend the compositional world of Gilberto Medes - for this purpose, we will study, analyze, elaborate a coherent musical performance, and record the works. The project can be justified by clarifying technical and structural aspects of the works, promote contemporary Brazilian music, and contribute for its bibliography and discography. The methodology includes a bibliographical survey about twentieth-century musical analysis, music history and Brazilian composition - particularly Gilberto Mendes's musical and literary works; study of flute works; analysis of the pieces, considering compositional techniques; an interview with the composer and recording of the pieces. The results form promotes an association between the information gotten through the research, with focus on musical analysis and performance of the works.