Guerra-Peixe, César

Guerra-Peixe, César, Brazilian composer, violinist, and conductor; b. Petrópolis, March 18, 1914; d. Rio de Janeiro, Nov. 23, 1993. Following training in violin and theory locally (1925-30), he went to Rio de Janeiro and studied violin and theory (1932-37) and then composition with Newton Padua at the Cons. Brasileiro (1934-43) and privately with Koellreuther (1944). He played violin in theater orchs. and in the National Sym. Orch. In 1946-47 he appeared as a conductor of his own works with the BBC in England. He taught composition privately, conducted many Brazilian orchs., and was director and music arranger for Tupi-TV in Rio de Janeiro. As a composer, he plunged headlong into the torrent of dodecaphony, but about 1949 he changed his orientation and reclaimed his Brazilian roots, nurtured by melorhythmic folksong resources.

Works

ORCH 2 syms.: No. 1 (1946) and No. 2, Brasilia, for Narrator, Chorus, and Orch. (1960); Instantdneos Sinfonicos 1 and 2 (1947); 2 divertimentos for Strings (1947); Suite for Strings (1949); Abertura Solene (1950); Suite Sinfonica 1: Paulista (1955) and 2: Pernambucana (1955); Ponteado (1955); Pequeno concerto for Piano and Orch. (1956); Museu de Inconfidencia (1972); Violin Concertino (1975); Tribute to Portinari (Rio de Janeiro, Oct. 15, 1993). CHAMBER: Music for Flute and Piano (1944); Nonet (1945); Cuarto Mixto for Flute, Clarinet, Violin, and Cello (1945); 2 string quartets (1947, 1958); 2 wind trios (1948, 1951); Violin Sonata (1950); Piano Trio (1960); Guitar Sonata (1969); Dueto caracteristico for Violin and Guitar (1970); Duo for Clarinet and Bassoon (1970); Variaçōes Opcionais for Violin and Accordion (1977). Piano : Música No. 1 (1945); 3 suites (1949, 1954, 1954); 2 sonatas (1950, 1967); 2 sonatinas (1950, 1969).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire