Marcelo Bratke and Camerata Brasil + Film by Mariannita Luzzati

Heitor Villa-Lobos: A Prole do bebê, Bk.1
Heitor Villa-Lobos: Cirandinhas arr. M. Bratke & A. Picchi for piano & ensemble
Interval
Ernesto Nazareth: Coração que sente, Tenebroso, Apanhei-te cavaquinho, Odeon, Crê e espera, Fon-fon, Batuque, Brejeiro arr. M. Bratke for piano & ensemble
Antonio Carlos Jobim: Luiza, Choro, Frevo, Wave, Stone flower, Sambo do Avião arr. M. Bratke & F. Senna for piano & ensemble

Marcelo Bratke is one of Brazil's pre-eminent pianists, performing in major halls all over the world from Carnegie Hall to the Salzburg Festival, from the Konzerthaus in Berlin to Suntory Hall in Tokyo, amongst others.

Born almost blind, at 14 he discovered the piano and his talent was quickly recognised. In 2004 his sight was restored by pioneering eye surgery and he could see the realities of the world around him.

With his heightened sense of the contrasts in society he saw how engagement with the arts could address injustice and this spurred him to create Camerata Brasil, a musical ensemble formed of young musicians who came from impoverished areas of Brazilian society.

The ensemble made a huge impact throughout Brazil, Japan, Europe and the US, where they recently performed a remarkable concert at Carnegie Hall acclaimed by both the public and the critics. They received outstanding reviews published by The New York Times, New York Post and Concert Net USA.

Mariannita Luzzati is a much-acclaimed Brazilian visual artist whose accompanying scenographic film about Brazilian nature reflects its impact on three great Brazilian composers of the 20th century - Heitor Villa-Lobos, Ernesto Nazareth and Tom Jobim.

Please note this concert was originally advertised with a 7.45pm start but has now been brought forward to 7pm.

'Mr Bratke's dynamically fluid interpretations struck a careful balance between the music's singing themes and thick-textured accompaniments ... He proved a fine ensemble player as well ... His rapport with his young musicians from Camerata Brasil enlivened the texturally varied Children's Rounds by Villa-Lobos, performed here with an almost jazzy sense of give-and-take, and with unexpected timbres.' (Allan Kozinn, The New York Times)

`Villa-Lobos played by Mr Bratke at the start was best of all, offering hints of wildness, yet with elegant construction, subtle rhythmic dislocations and shining piano colors ... Mr Bratke is a fine and flexible pianist, perfectly happy either to play Bach or to plunge into the popular music he set next to it.' (Bernard Holland, The New York Times)

Supported by the Embassy of Brazil in London.

Camerata Brasil
Marcelo Bratke piano