César Guerra-Peixe (1914–1993) was one of the most versatile Brazilian musicians of the 20th century, gaining a particular mastery of orchestration and creating his own inimitable sound through extensive work in radio, television and cinema. The toe-tapping dance rhythms and lyrical expressiveness in his two Symphonic Suites were inspired by research into Brazilian folk traditions, further enhanced by a broad range of vibrantly eloquent global influences. The lighthearted Roda de Amigos mischievously caricatures Guerra-Peixe’s musical circle of friends and their various woodwind instruments.

This is yet another Naxos album that shows us what we have been missing through neglect of South American composers, being a programme filled with life-enhancing fun and stunning music-making, as well as an abundance of that strikingly atmospheric sound that is unique to Brazil’s various regions.

César Guerra-Peixe’s music is a rarity on CD, which is surprising given the immediacy and appeal of the works presented here. This is the first time his two Symphonic Suites have appeared together on one album, and in fact the first modern studio recordings of all of these pieces – this despite the comparative popularity of Roda de Amigos in Brazil. One of barely a handful of recordings of his work is the inclusion of the Three Pieces for Violin and Piano on our Images of Brazil album (Naxos 8573923), considered a recording that ‘showcases the breadth and variety of Brazilian music by focusing on composers who use native forms, such as the bossa nova, chôro, frevo, and samba, combined with neo-Romanticism, Modernism and jazz’ (WFMT Chicago), and ‘the most delightful disc of Brazilian chamber music to come along in years’ (Fanfare).

Neil Thomson has been principal conductor and artistic director of the Goiás Philharmonic Orchestra since 2014, leading the orchestra to national prominence with its championing of Brazilian and contemporary repertoire. He also enjoys a busy international career working with all the major UK orchestras and with the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, Russian National Orchestra, São Paulo State Symphony Orchestra, WDR Rundfunkorchester, Israel Symphony Orchestra, Lahti Symphony Orchestra, and the Romanian National Orchestra. He has performed with many distinguished soloists including Dame Felicity Lott, Sir Thomas Allen, Sir James Galway, Nelson Freire, Jean Louis Steuerman and Antonio Meneses.

Since its foundation in 1980, the Goiás Philharmonic Orchestra has committed itself to the democratisation of classical music in the Brazilian state of Goiás by placing particular emphasis on Brazilian music in its programmes. In 2012, the orchestra underwent a major restructure that ushered in its most fruitful and creative period and led to the appointment in 2014 of Neil Thomson as principal conductor and artistic director.