Luis de Freitas Branco (1890-1955)

[André]

Have been playing this recording of the Symphony No. 2 from 1926 over the last weeks and like it much better now. It's also easy to see where Joly Braga Santos found his first symphonic inspiration.
https://www.youtube.com/v/xsmf_9AAKho

Just a reminder that this disc is on sale for less than 4 € at JPC. 

[Christo]

Just a reminder that this disc is on sale for less than 4 € at JPC. 

Exacty. That's where I bought it (free shipping included)  and came to appreciate it now. Fine disc, now playing its equally fine - better played Scherzo even - rival:

[Rinaldo]

Ah, memories. Thanks for resurrecting this thread – and reminding me that I never got to the symphonies as I planned long time ago. Listening to some Branco via YouTube and I'm swept again..

https://www.youtube.com/v/GMv9dqdyqAg

[SymphonicAddict]

I have excellent memories of the 2nd Symphony too. The 1st movement is kind of in the vein of the 1st movement from the Magnard's 3rd, even in the same tonality (B-flat minor). There is an gorgeous and elegant melody in the 2nd movement, like a barcarolle or a siciliana. The 3rd movement is somewhat furious and tense, and the 4th mov. shares similar features with the 1st mov. A splendid work.

I revisited this cycle last year and I liked every symphony very much.