PORTO DE SAUDADES

Built as a rhapsodic suite, in the style of the great band composers from the early XX century (also nationalists and proud of their folk music), this piece has 9 small connected parts in a free form, juxtaposing the popular themes with original ones, the folk flavours vs. abstract, chamber music, orchestral and solo parts. Like a symphonic poem, it describes some situations and quotations of Oporto. Here the word Porto refers both to the city and to the harbour, literally a sheltered place.