Francisco Mignone was a leading figure in the Brazilian music scene of the 20th century, with a free-flowing style and gift for melody that instantly communicated with audiences. He was part of the first generation of modernist Brazilian composers that included Villa-Lobos and Guarnieri. Mignone’s two early unnumbered sonatas emulate the French influence of Fauré and Debussy, but it was not until the 1960s that he returned to the genre. The First and Second Sonatas share a fragmented, experimental character that juxtapose varying forms of tonality and metre, while the Third Sonata features national rhythmic and melodic elements. These sonatas represent some of the most significant works for violin and piano to come from Brazil.

This release follows on the heels of our recording of Mignone’s Concertos and Concertinos (Naxos 8574573) including Emmanuele Baldini’s recording of the Violin Concerto and was given a five-star rating in Pizzicato. MusicWeb International also remarked that ‘The hope must be that the Naxos “Music of Brazil” series will be revisiting this rewarding composer soon.’ Wish granted!

Violinist and conductor Emmanuele Baldini’s numerous acclaimed recordings include the complete violin sonatas of Villa-Lobos (Naxos 8574310) which was a MusicWeb International Recording of the Month and considered ‘top class performances… played with attractive effervescence without at any time sounding rushed or superficial’.

This is young Brazilian pianist Lucas Thomazinho’s Naxos debut, but he has already recorded for the KNS Classical label and, starting from the age of nine as winner of the Souza Lima National Piano Competition, is now a veteran of more than ten first prizes in contests including the National Piano Competition Villa-Lobos and the XII Magda Tagliaferro National Piano Competition.