Honoring the Memory of Dom Pedro I and of Brazil’s Bicentennial, Academy of Arts and Science Honors a Cross-section of Citizens for Meritorious Acts that Enhance and Integrate Brazilian Culture
By Deni Moraes
The royal blue plumes of the indigenous headdress worn by honoree Trindade dos Sandos highlighted the multi-ethnic nature of Brazil, one of the world’s most diverse cultures, in a Bicentennial event by the National Confederation of Family Farming of Brazil (CONAF) in association with the Brazilian Federation of Academics of Science, Letters, and Arts (FEBACLA).
In a patriotic and cultural moment marking the historical significance of the 200 years of Brazil’s independence this September, the event honored 40 teachers, lawyers, members of the military, businessmen, a forest firefighter, and others area of culture and education, people from different levels of society, who have been standing out in their field of activity.
The martial strains of Brazil’s Hymn of Independence, composed by Dom Pedro I in 1822, filled the air in the event hall as the event got underway. Short remarks by CONAF president Gedir Santos Ferrira, FEBACA president of FEBACLA journalist, poet broadcaster, and writer Athylla Borborema Cardoso, and others preceded the awarding of the Commemorative Medal Alluding to the Bicentennial of Brazil’s Independence.
The honors were granted to civil and military personalities from all over Brazil “in recognition of their meritorious, cultural, and social acts for the integration and enhancement of national culture.”
Honorees were writer Professor Ana Delicy, CONAF President Gedir Santos Ferreira, plastic artist Adriana Soares, writer André Luiz de Lima Coelho, writer Prof. Dr. André Pullig, writer Professor Ainê Pena, journalist and writer Athylla Borborema Cardoso, writer Pietro Costa, President of the Court of Mediation and Arbitration of the Brazilian states Luís Gonçalves Matoso, poet, writer, and academic Araken Santos.
Honorees selected by FEBLACA were, Organizer and Forestry Brigadista Odair Trindade Dos Santos; writer Lukas Bruno Feitosa dos Santos; militaryman Prof. Wallace Silva de Azevedo; airplane pilot and businessman Dorian Lessa Pinheiro do Vale; Founding President of the Women's Association Entrepreneurs of the State of Ceará Prof. Cícera Maria Silva; Vice-President of the Brazilian Association Institutional and Governmental Relations Ivonice Aires; professional photographer Vitor Matheus Freitas Pimentel.
Also honored, were Civil, business, penal and agrarian attorney Dr. Filipe Matheus Ferreira da Silva Lima; President of the National Federation of Officers of Justice of Brazil and Vice-President of the Central of Brazilian Unions; food industry and alternative energy entrepreneur Alexandre Paula de Oliveira; attorney Mateus Leandro de Oliveira, National Director of CONAF-Brasil and President of the Federation of Family Agriculture of the State of Ceará Francisco Arly Cordeiro Lima, attorney Dr. Ricardo Paulinelli; Lieutenant Colonel of the Air Force Reserve, Secretary of CONAF Institutional Relations Romulo Amaral Filho; Communicator, broadcaster, environmentalist and cultural producer Claudiney Barbosa Meres (Ney Barbosa); and Agent and Chief of Investigation of the Civil Police of theState of Rio Grande do Norte, Iranilson
Dos Santos: Fighting forest fires and fighting for the rights of others
The indigenous headdress was worn by dos Santos was in honor of his indigenous heritage. He requested permission to wear from the ceremonial body as receiving the distinction was a moment of great emotion to him.
The Commemorative Medallion “Brava Gente Brasileira” in recognition of those who have stood out for their meritorious actions, recognized as selfless and of inestimable value, “those who fight for the defense of the Fatherland and for a better Brazil,” was awarded to civil and military personalities from all over the country.
Medal honorees were Writer Ana Delicy, CONAF President Gedir Santos Ferreira, Journalist and Gilbson Alencar, Writer André Luiz de Lima Coelho, Writer André Pullig; Jounalist and Writer Athylla Borborema Cardoso (Journalist and Writer Pietro Costa.
CONAF is the National Confederation of Family Farming of Brazil operating throughout the Brazilian territory, it brings together unions, federations, and associations seeking to develop public policies for better economic development. The Brazilian Federation of Academics of Science, Letters, and Arts, FEBACLA is a civil non-profit, non-partisan, non-religious association, cultural in nature, governed by private law and legally maintained by the International Cultural Association of Sciences, Letters and Arts.
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Historical Documentary "A Jornada dos Principes" to screen in Brasilia as Bicentennial Celebrations Build
Event will count with the presence of His Imperial and Royal Highness Prince Bertrand of Orleans and Bragança, Head of the Imperial House of Brazil, and Director Malcolm Forest
By Deni Moraes
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| Hii Imperial and Royal Highness, Prince Bertrand of Orleans and Bragança |
In commemoration of the Bicentennial of Independence of Brazil, the solemn avant-première screening that will host the imperial heir and special guests, anticipates a full program of premiere events later in the month.
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| Director Malcolm Forest |
Starring as Emperatiz Leopoldina and Dom Pedro, Júlia Zanatta and André Kirmayr fill the main roles, with music authored by Dom Pedro I himself and by the film's director, Composer Malcolm Forest.
“They had music in common...They had the Fatherland in common...Together, they made Brazil's Independence,” begins the documentary which depicts the important dates and events that form the intangible patrimony of the creation of Brazil.
The film recounts their shared love of music and for Brazil, and retraces the beautiful locations and historic places where the then-Prince stayed in Rio de Janeiro, the Paraiba Valley, in Minas Gerais, and in Sao Paulo. It is the glorious and heroic beginning of an independent Brazil.
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| The film counts with the perspective remarks of Princesa Dona Maria Gabriela de Orleans e Bragança |
The screening will take place Monday, September 5, at 7pm at the Historical and Geographical Institute of the Federal District at SEPS EQ 703/903 Set C - Brasília, DF, 70390-039.
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This Bicentennial event will host special guests, and there will be limited openings for the general public. Those interested in attending, RSVP at (61) 98342-9222.
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Brazil's Bicentennial Concert, an Ode to a Glorious Past
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| Maestro Claudio Cohen conducting the Bicentennial \concert. B4DMagazinePhoto by Welf Herfurth |
By Sonya Pruss
Happy were those Brazilians who were able to attend the Concerto Bicentenário da Independência do Brasil this June 7 in Brasilia’s Eber Vasconcelos Auditorium at the Memorial Batista Church, celebrating an event that took place as far back as 1822– an occasion worth noting, Brazil’s declaration of independence.
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| B4DMagazinePhoto by Welf Herfurth |
Long before the scheduled 20h of the concert, there were long lines of people at the entrance to the music hall. Children, the young, and the older waited patiently. There were many parents with small kids as it filled up gradually. As the beginning of the concert neared, the crowd grew more and more until it filled the auditorium’s capacity.
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| Malcolm Forest B4DMagazinePhoto by Welf Herfurth |
The organizer of the extraordinary event was Musician-Historian Malcolm Fores, coordinating with the Secretary of State for Culture and Creative Economy of the Federal District. The concert was performed by the National Theater Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of maestro Claudio Cohen; soloist Alvaro Siviero; the choir ‘Ad infinitum’ and the Chamber Choir of the Memorial Batista Church.
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| Maestro Cohen and the Orchestra B4DMagazinePhoto by Welf Herfurth |
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| B4DMagazinePhoto by Welf Herfurth |
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| B4DMagazinePhoto by Welf Herfurth |
Musicians and choristers were conventionally and appropriately dressed for the event in classic, elegant dresses and suits, mostly in black. But distinctive features could be seen with some musicians -- body tattoos and, yes, pandemic face masks, in an interesting combination of classic and modern.
High-ranking officials from government and civil society, the military and the church, and diplomats were in the audience along with an eclectic mix of citozens who love music, history, and art. The dress of the audience was also diverse, ranging from elegant pieces complemented by appropriate jewelry to casual– jeans, comfortable blouses, and sneakers sporting body tattoos to face masks, again. In keeping with the times, there were also unusual hairstyles and 2022 coiffeurs and hairdos. Interspersed in the audience were cheerful children of all ages. All in all, a lovely picture of contemporary Brazilian society in one place.
The organizers and the wardens were at their best-- their experience in handling similar events was obvious, as was their kindness.
The anticipation of the audience could be felt in the air. The moment came when the presenter announced the musicians of the National Orchestra and the members of the two choirs, but the emotions erupted when the well-known maestro Claudio Cohen was announced.
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| B4DMagazinePhoto by Welf Herfurth |
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| B4DMagazinePhoto by Welf Herfurth |
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| B4DMagazinePhoto by Welf Herfurth |
The opening piece was the Brazilian national hymn an excellent choice for the concert’s overture. The patriotic feeling was then aroused by the Abertura Independência by Dom Pedro I.
What followed was Ludwig van Beethoven’s Concerto ‘O Imperador’ enhanced by the excellent performance of soloist, pianist Alvaro Siviero under the baton of maestro Claudio Cohen. The encore was inevitable.
These two pieces formed the first part of the Concert.
After the short intermission the concert continued with another set of seven relatively short pieces titled A Jornada dos Principes, starting with Malcolm Forest’s Mater et Magistra, and it was followed by Abertura em Ré by Joao de Deus Castro Lobo’s. The audience seemed to enjoy both the music and the spiritual emotions that it aroused.
What followed was Abertura ‘Il Duca di Foix’ by Marcos Portugal, who was a Portuguese-Brazilian classical composer and organist during the late of 18th and at the beginning of the 19th century.
The choristers took the stage again as a sign that something exciting was approaching. The sounds of Te Deum Laudamus by Dom Pedro I echoed and it was obvious that everyone was enjoying themselves– both on stage and in the audience. Gloria in excelsis Deo followed, another work by Dom Pedro I, for the glory of God and Heaven. The loud applause of the audience was just an additional reward for the musicians and the choir.
What to say about Malcolm Forest's Terra de Santa Cruz except that it simply captivates and enchants your senses. Both its words and music will be undoubtedly reverberate and resonate for a long, long time.
The final piece ‘Libertas, Brasil’, composed by the first Emperor of Brazil, Dom Pedro I, is probably justifiably related to his nickname Libertador. Since it is he who deserves the credit for Brazil’s independence and for this bicentennial celebration, it was apt appreciation for what he did for Brazil and Brazilian people.
The concert ended with rapturous and warm applause to all participants equally– Maestro Cohen, soloist Siviero, Forest, musicians, choristers… even appreciation for the lady who interpreted the concert by sign language.
Worth noting is that the careful selection of these 9 music pieces, including the Brazilian anthem, is what makes this concert unforgettable. According to their titles and content these pieces are quite suitable for the very theme of the concert: 200 years of independence of Brazil.
The composers of these compositions are the five great artists and musicians starting with Dom Pedro I, and ending with our contemporary Malcolm Forest.
Dom Pedro I, the first emperor of Brazil, is one of the five composers that have presented themselves this evening through his artistic works. But what nation could show off with such pride that it had an emperor who brought them independence and who composed musical works in honor and glory of the beloved country and people at the same time? None, except the people of the Brazilian nation.
Just as maestro Cohen masterfully conducted and directed the musicians and the chorus this evening, so did Dom Pedro I guide Brazil and the peoples of Brazil at that time, only without a score and without rehearsals. And he succeeded!
It is that heroic success that was lovingly commemorated at the Bicentennial Concert of the Independence of Brazil.
Sonya Pruss is a fmr. Macedonian diplomat residing in Brasilia
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Bicentennial Concert in Brasilia this June 7 is rich in history and music about Brazil’s heroic trajectory to Independence
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| At left, the original Imperial Decorations and Emblem ordered by Dom Pedro I with motto “Independência ou Morte”. |
Commemoration is a tribute to Dom Pedro, Emperatriz Leopoldina, and their “immortal love” for Brazil
By Milan Sime Martinic
A bicentennial celebration evening of classical music entertainment will have the ancient sounds of a bagpipe melody played by clarinets acute in the air at Auditório Eber Vasconcelos in Brasilia this June 7, evoking the first musical instrument played in Brazil at the instant of discovery. It is a time-stopping moment in “Terra de Santa Cruz,” an original creation by historian and composer Malcolm Forrest celebrating the bicentennial of Brazil.
It is part of a carefully prepared, thoughtfully shaped, and history-laden Concerto do Bicentenario organized by Forest, representing the important multi-dimensional story of Brazil in a unifying and uncommon collection of the wonders through time and our relationship to self that classical music has to offer.
Terra de Santa Cruz refers to the original name given to Brazil by its discoverer, the adventurer and nobleman Pedro Álvares Cabral. The bagpipes, an instrument that made its way to Portugal through the Romans, will blend into the full orchestra, the piano, and a mixed choir singing in different keys modulated through the hymn.
It is a musical journey in time, to the moment of the processional parade with the natives to the first mass celebrating the Portuguese ritual of taking possession of the land in the name of the king of Portugal and the Order of Christ. The piece, drawing from the Chant of the Templars- Da Pacem Domine, will put the audience right in the essential time when, through the profound effect of the bagpipe swirls and drums, “the Indians seemed to understand that something divine, related to God, the skies, and to heaven was happening,” explains Forest.
The performance of the concert will be conducted by Maestro Cláudio Cohen and will also feature four original orchestral works composed by Dom Pedro himself as well as works by contemporary composers of Dom Pedro and his master, Marcos Portugal.
Cohen is the former Conductor and Musical Director of the Brasília Philharmonic Orchestra and one of the most renowned conductors of Brazil, often participating in the main Music Festivals of Brazil and abroad; he is also a tireless advocate for the National Theater. Widely recognized for this talent and stature. Cohen was born in the city of Belém in the state of Pará and is an honorary citizen of Brasilia. He has been recognized as one of the most prominent personalities of the capital.
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| Master Conductor Cláudio Cohen. (Photo internet reproduction) |
The maestro has conducted orchestras around the world including the Osterreischiche Symphoniker Linz and the Euro Symphony SFK in Austria the global epicenter of classical music, at the Orquestra Metropolitana de Lisboa in Portugal, the Vogtland Philarmonie Orchestra in Germany, and the Sinfônica de Roma in Italy along with orchestras in the US, Mexico, Ecuador, Argentina, Chile, Quatar, the Czech Republic, Spain, Israel, Romania, and throughout Brazil. Cohen was recently recognized by Austrian Ambassador Stefan Scholtz with the Golden Cross Commendation of Science and Art of the Republic of Austria.
Compositions by Dom Pedro I are important pieces in defining Brazil and its own experience. The Emperor Composer was the heir to centuries of the remarkable musical talent of the House of Bragança, a lineage of Portuguese kings, emperors, dukes, and princes who reigned in Europe and Brazil.
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| André Kirmayr as Dom Pedro Composing in the docudrama "A Journey of the Princes" celebrating the bicentennial of Brazil: |
A gifted singer and instrumentalist, the emperor had a solid musical formation, played at least seven orchestral instruments including the piano, flute, clarinet, violin, contrabass, trombone, and the harp; he organized numerous concerts in which he himself played in the orchestra.
Skilled and artful as a composer, Dom Pedro garnered recognition and praise in Europe. He wrote numerous pieces for orchestra and theatrical music, yet he his most inspiring success was in producing patriotic music; his most important compositions are the“Hymn of Independence of Brazil,” which was quick to gain popularity, and the “Constitutional Anthem,” which would become the Portuguese national anthem.
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| Julia Zanatta as Dona Maria Leopoldina and André Kirmayr as Prince D. Pedro |
The program for the Bicentennial Concert in Brasilia features“Abertura Independência,” an orchestra piece composed by Dom Pedro in 1819. Work praised and conducted by Gioachino Rossini in Paris, October 30, 1831, followed by the beguiling effects of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 5. in E flat by soloist Alvaro Siviero, composed in Vienna around 1805 and dedicated to the Archbishop and Archduke Rudolf Habsburg, uncle of Dona Leopoldina.
Orchestra and continuous pieces “Mater et Magistra” and “Praeambulum et Canzona” by Malcolm Forest 2022 will follow, from “A Jornada dos Príncipes,” a film commemorating the Bicentennial of the Independence of Brazil.
The orchestra will continue the operatic opening with “Overture in D” by João de Deus Castro Lobo, one of the biggest names in religious music from Minas Gerais in the early 19th century along with pieces by Dom Pedro’s music teacher Marcos Portugal, the overture “Il Duca di Foix” and “Dramma per Música”, based on a libretto by Giuseppe Caravita, 1805, Lisbon.
The choir and orchestra will follow with the joyous hymn “Te Deum Laudamus” by Dom Pedro, offered to King Dom João VI by his son the Royal Prince Dom Pedro d'Alcantara, Duke of Bragança. October 21, 1820.
Conducted by Luíz Karam and compositor Malcolm Forest, “Terra de Santa Cruz” brings together the idea of the discovery with the sounds of the bagpipes and the traditions of Templars and the Order of Christ. At the end of the quarter, a tribute to Dona Leopoldina is an instrumental part of the Austro-Hungarian Hymn with the choir singing of liberty, in tribute to Dona Leopoldina’s role as the architect of the independence of Brazil
The fourth original piece on piano, orchestra, and choir is “Libertas, Brazil” by Dom Pedro a fantasy about the “Anthem of Independence” an arrangement by Conductor Joaquim França Ramos inspired by the “Grande Fantasia Triunfal sobre o Hino Nacional Brasileiro.”
The piece paints the scenario of Dom Pedro leaving Santos on the 7th of September in the difficult environment of two centuries ago. In the beginning, there are sounds of nature, explains Forest, then the entrance of piano introducing a cadenza in bravura, where the piano builds to a brilliant climax by executing different figures, fireworks, and builds up with the choir then beginning to sing the Brazilian Hino da Independência, a rousing patriotic celebration of the declaration of independence.
Bringing the evening to a grand closing is ”Glória in excelsis Deo” the fourth movement of the “Missa de Nossa Senhora do Carmo” composed by Dom Pedro, presented as dedicated and offered to Pope Leo XII for having accepted his request to declare São Pedro de Alcântara “Patron of Brazil.” It was first executed on December 5, 1829, and it is considered Dom Pedro’s best composition, explains Forest.
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| Malcolm Forest |
Malcolm Forest, the filmmaker, producer, and director and the force behind the organization of the concert, is also a historian and Vice-President of the Historical and Geographical Institute of São Paulo; he is coordinator of the film production “Jornada dos Príncipes: Rumo ao Bicentenário da Independência do Brasil,” a historical documentary bringing to life the reasons and events of Brazil’s proclamation of Independence by retracing the “heroic journey of the princes.”
Specialized in composition and orchestration, Forest is knowledgeable and scholarly trained in guitar, theory, harmony, counterpoint, and musical phraseology. Besides his original compositions in the Bicentennial Concert, he has also composed and produced the soundtrack for the film “Frei Galvão, o Arquiteto da Luz” and is the composer of Hollywood's "Walk of Fame Anthem" as well as scores of records as a songwriter and singer.
Forest has narrated various documentaries of the Rio Turismo series for TV Corcovado and the series Beautiful Brazil for the International Channel of Los Angeles, An visionary environmentalist, Forest is also the founder of AMAR an archeological and historical research NGO associated with UNESCO’s Planet Society that has been working to cover evidence of indigenous occupation and archaeological finds. Forest is developer of the project Brazilian Forests and is currently directing “The Journey of the Princes.”
The Bicentennial Concert will get underway at 8 pm, Tickets are free, but it is necessary for people interested in attending to RSVP at: successmdk@gmail.com. For more information, please call (11) 98205-0942.
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Also commemorating Brazil’s bicentennial year this week, the Austrian Embassy is hosting the Austria-Brazil Commemorative Symposium at Rio de Janeiro’s Itamaraty Palace on June 7, exploring positive state-building and social development, political concepts and ideas for the post-colonial state, and Brazil’s influence in Europe.
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