Partitura · May 2025

What better, and more inspiring, way to step into May than with the ECHO Rising Stars programme – reopening the magical box from which, every year, a new constellation of young artists emerges, handpicked by some of Europe’s most prestigious concert halls. Let’s take note of this year’s names: Sào Soulez Larivière, a Franco-Dutch violist of extraordinary virtuosity, boldly expanding the repertoire for his instrument; Matilda Lloyd, a British trumpeter whose refined mastery, marked by subtlety, fluidity, and expressiveness, continues to impress critics and audiences alike; Benjamin Kruithof, a Luxembourgish cellist and winner of several international competitions, including the distinguished George Enescu Competition in Romania; and finally, Carlos Ferreira, Portuguese principal clarinettist of the Orchestre National de France – a source of national pride and already regarded as one of the leading clarinettists of our time.

Youthful spirit also runs through two of the monthly concerts by Orquestra Sinfónica do Porto Casa da Música. The first, part of the Family Series, revisits the golden pages of the classical repertoire with Peter and the Wolf, Prokofiev’s timeless masterpiece created to introduce young listeners to the unique timbres of orchestral instruments. The second, titled Springs of Music, presents the national premiere of the only known orchestral work for gamelan, a traditional community instrument from the island of Java, Indonesia – part of Casa da Música’s own collection. Also featured is the final instalment of Liza Lim’s orchestral cycle celebrating three women, as well as pieces shortlisted for the Young Composers Award at the World New Music Days festival, hosted this year between Porto – with four concerts held in the two main halls of Casa da Música – and Lisbon by the International Society for Contemporary Music.

Our Symphony Orchestra also launches another edition of the Tribute to Helena Sá e Costa with the concert Three Pianos for Mozart, where the acclaimed soloists Julius Zeman (also conducting), Mona Azuka, and Shun Oi (both graduates of the Mozarteum University Salzburg) perform essential works by the Austrian genius – including his final and most majestic symphony, “Jupiter”.

This tribute to the Porto-born pianist, performer, and teacher – who captivated audiences around the globe – continues with the Keyboard Marathon, an annual favourite at Casa da Música, where hundreds of young keyboard players from music schools take over the building, showcasing their talents to the public. Topping it all off, the greatest British pianist of our time, Benjamin Grosvenor, returns in recital with a programme worthy of his lyrical depth and technical brilliance.

For something completely different, the spotlight shifts to the return of Tinariwen, the legendary Tuareg band that has spent nearly half a century creating and sharing some of the world’s most distinctive and hypnotic music – weaving together cultural, aesthetic, and political threads into a powerful sonic tapestry. From the south of Siberia, close to the Mongolian border, comes the Huun-Huur-Tu quartet, internationally revered for their inimitable and mesmerising form of guttural singing.

But May also shines a light on a host of other standout artists – many of them Portuguese. Tó Trips & Fake Latinos, MESA, Valter Lobo, Luis Magalhães, Mezzoforte, and Sond’Ar-te Electric Ensemble are just a few of the highlights.

As always, the best way to explore is by browsing through this month’s Partitura – full of colourful, enriching educational activities, diverse performance formats, and free concerts at the Café, where emerging musical voices take the stage. Who knows – some of them may be also future stars.

Born on May 26, 1913, in Porto, she grew up surrounded by music – “good music”, as she used to say. She was the granddaughter of Bernardo Moreira de Sá, founder of the Porto Conservatory and the Orpheon Portuense, and the daughter of pianists Leonilda Moreira de Sá e Costa and Luiz Costa, who was also a composer. She began studying piano at an early age, initially at home, in an environment rich with artistic stimulation. She later studied under Vianna da Motta and, after graduating with top marks (a perfect score of 20) from the National Conservatory of Lisbon, she trained abroad with Paul Loyonnet, Alfred Cortot, and Edwin Fischer, with whom she gave over 40 concerts.