Where the Earth Ends

Solo Piano Recital

"All music and all art must somehow touch people's hearts, because that's where music and art come from: from the fatum, the thought and the feeling of each creative figure."

Pedro Emanuel Pereira

In January 2022, pianist and composer Pedro Emanuel Pereira explored the inexhaustible works of some of the most renowned composers in music history, establishing a sonic dialogue between different eras and musical traditions. The recording of the program, held at Casa da Música in Porto, culminated in the release of the album "Where the Earth Ends" under the label OClassica. This project is a tribute to significant milestones: the 340th anniversary of Johann Sebastian Bach’s birth (1685), the 130th anniversary of Paul Hindemith (1895), the 85th birthday of António Victorino d’Almeida (1940), and the 65th birthday of Mário Laginha (1960), in a year when Pedro Emanuel Pereira (1990) turns 35 years old.

In this album, the artist presents a carefully structured solo piano program aimed not only at celebrating these anniversaries but also at building a bridge between contemporary Portuguese music and classical German erudition. The recital unfolds in two parts that, in sync, reveal the richness and complexity of cross-influences in musical styles.

The first part begins with J.S. Bach’s Partita No. 6, a monumental work rich in emotional expressions, followed by António Victorino d’Almeida’s Prelude and Fugue No. 2, Op. 25, dedicated to Pedro Emanuel Pereira, showcasing contemporary Portuguese language. Complementing this section, Mário Laginha’s “Lugar Bem Situado” and Fugue in D Major offer a new interpretation of current jazz soundscapes.

The second part of the recital features Paul Hindemith’s powerful and vigorous Sonata No.3, reinforcing the connection between German influences and new creations. This is followed by Pedro Emanuel Pereira’s "Where the Earth Ends" Suite, Op. 11, which serves as the centerpiece, reflecting his artistic vision and desire to resonate with contemporary narratives.

“Where the Earth Ends” is more than just a disc recording; it is a sensory journey that redefines the relationship between past and present, positioning itself within the Portuguese and European contemporary musical landscape, supported by DGARTES - Portuguese Institute for the Support of Arts, Cultural and Heritage Activities.

PROGRAM

1st PART

J. S. Bach (1685):

Partita No. 6 (25 min.)

António Vitorino d’Almeida (1940):

Prelude and Fugue No. 2, Op. 25 (dedicated to Pedro Emanuel Pereira) (5 min.)

Mário Laginha (1960):

Song and Fugue: “Lugar Bem Situado” and Fugue in D Major (5 min.)

2nd PART

Paul Hindemith (1895):

Sonata No. 3 (22 min.)

Pedro Emanuel Pereira (1990):

Suite "Where the Earth Ends," Op. 11 (19 min.)