Joly Braga Santos (1924–1988) was a preeminent Portuguese composer and conductor, whose legacy is firmly rooted in his contributions to 20th-century classical music. Born in Lisbon, Braga Santos showed prodigious talent from a young age, drawing inspiration from the rich cultural and historic tapestry of his homeland. His compositional style evolved over the years, but he is perhaps most known for his early symphonies which integrated traditional Portuguese music with the ethos of the Romantic and post-Romantic eras, exhibiting a keen melodic sense and a lush harmonic language.

Throughout his career, Braga Santos remained deeply connected to the musical landscape of Portugal, striving to forge a nationalistic identity through his works. In addition to the six profound symphonies that form the cornerstone of his oeuvre, his extensive catalog includes concerti, chamber music, vocal works, and operas. His later works saw a shift towards a more modernist and sometimes atonal style, yet still retained elements of his characteristic lyrical expression. Braga Santos was also an esteemed conductor and pedagogue, having worked to cultivate a new generation of Portuguese musicians and composers. Despite his untimely death at the age of 63, the passion and vigor of his music continue to resonate through releases of his complete chamber music and orchestral works, ensuring that the spirit of Joly Braga Santos endures within the classical canon.

Genres

Portuguese Classical

Portuguese Contemporary Classical

Latest Release

Joly Braga Santos | Obras inéditas para piano e violino

Joly Braga Santos

Album - 14 Tracks - Released February 1, 2024