Partitura · November 2025

Orquestra Sinfónica, Remix Ensemble, Orquestra Barroca and Coro – the full roster of Casa da Música’s senior resident ensembles – come together to journey Around the Baroque. This means not only performing repertoire from that period, but also later works – including contemporary pieces and world premieres – that bear its influence. Even the key that opens the doors of this festival turns in circles of its own, for a requiem is usually expected to bring closure. Yet here we speak of “the” Requiem – the final and unfinished, therefore ever-open, work of an eternal genius named Mozart –, one that leads us all to revolve around the unfathomable mysteries of life.

In another setting, our Symphony Orchestra returns for four more concerts throughout the month, offering music by Sergei Prokofiev and, in a world premiere, by his grandson Gabriel; Beethoven’s renowned Triple Concerto; Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances; and Tchaikovsky’s Manfred Symphony. Some of these composers also appear through the hands of pianists who bring body and soul to a rare double serving of the Piano Series, opening and closing the month like a gilded frame: first, the Russian Dmitry Shishkin; then, the Ukrainian Dinara Klinton. A true blessing of music.

Beyond the classical realm, November promises to strike every chord of the imagination with the abundance and diversity of its offerings: from the soul– jazz–hip hop triangle of Myles Sanko to the wide-ranging samba of Paulinho da Viola; from the multicultural virtuosity of violinist Ara Malikian to the simple, intimate songs of Rubel; from the flamenco guitar of Daniel Casares to the hypnotic blend of classical composition and electronic experimentalism of Grandbrothers. Joining them is a vibrant contingent of Portuguese artists: JP Coimbra with his new album Revealing; the fado of Miguel Martins; the 45th anniversary celebration of Jafumega; the live premiere of Beats Vol. 1: Amor by Sam the Kid (with orchestra and Orelha Negra); the alternative pop of S. Pedro; and, in free-entry concerts at the café, three emerging talents yet to be discovered – Mariana Reis, Sam Nóbrega and April Marmara.

Nor does the range end there – far from it. Particularly noteworthy is the return of the partnership between Misty Fest and Casa da Música, once again presenting a programme of distinctive curatorship that balances established names and emerging voices, spanning folk to orchestral music, jazz to fado, rock to electronic and world sounds. Equally varied are the educational activities, designed especially for families. Through concerts and workshops, November offers a rich array of worlds shaped by music – experiences well worth entering and taking part in.

Within the pages of this Partitura, you will encounter all that this month’s concerts and events have to offer. We hope the next encounter will be with us – together celebrating the magic of music. Enjoy the read.

João Carlos Pinto is Casa da Música’s Young Artist in Residence for 2025. Throughout this year, the composer has been collaborating with three ensembles, in a journey that now culminates with the premiere of three new works: one for Quarteto Tágide – winner of the Young Musicians Prize –, one for Remix Ensemble, and another for Orquestra Sinfónica do Porto Casa da Música.