« What a surprise this concert was! (...) As a conductor, Amaral is clear and incisive, perhaps a result of his feel for musical shape and form. He really seems to have a keen perception of “how” music works. After the concert, I crept up to look at his score, and noticed how clearly he had marked it. That sort of vision is the basis of interpretation: there’s nothing sloppy or accidental about good conducting.»

Anne Ozorio,
Seen and Heard international
(London, June 2007)

« (...) composer of a great
and original talent. »

Virgílio Melo,
Público, Lisbon
(May 17, 1999)

 

« (...) The most interesting piece on the [Parisii Quartet] program came from the youngest composer, Pedro Amaral, 31, currently in residence at the new music laboratory IRCAM and bent on “reinventing” the string quartet form. »

Richard S. Ginell,
Los Angeles Times
(February 25, 2004)

 

« (...) Pedro Amaral’s “Paraphrase” does in fact paraphrase both an earlier work and also many phrases and themes from within the piece itself. The solo trumpet, superbly played, led the ensemble into endless reinvention. »

Anne Ozorio,
Seen and Heard international
(London, February , 2006)

 

 


« (...) Pedro Amaral has the great quality of being a young composer that succeeded in creating his own language, an unitary expressive form (...) which is a huge prove of maturity. »

Christophe Desjardins,
Corriere di Firenze
(Florence, January 2006)
« (...) Amaral's PhD thesis it's an excellent work that taught me a lot of things. »

Karlheinz Stockhausen,
Le Monde de la Musique
(Paris, September 2003)

 

« (...) Born from a very strong creative tension between archaic and modern, with the reference to the middle-age organum, Amaral’s “Organa” is a authentic revelation. »

Egbert Hiller,
Kölner Stadtanzeiger
(September 17, 2002)

 

English (.pdf file)

Born in Lisbon (Portugal) in 1972, Pedro Amaral, composer and conductor, is one of the most active European musicians of the young generation.

Português (ficheiro .pdf)

Nascido em Lisboa, em 1972, Pedro Amaral, compositor e maestro, é um dos músicos mais activos Europeus da nova geração.

Français (fichier .pdf)

Né à Lisbonne (Portugal) en 1972, Pedro Amaral, compositeur et chef d'orchestre, est l'un des musiciens Européens les plus actifs de la nouvelle génération.

Studies

He started his studies in composition as a private student of F. Lopes-Graça, in 1986. His general music apprenticeship was made mainly at the Gregorian Institute and the Superior Lisbon Conservatoire (1991/94) where he graduated in composition at Prof. Christopher Bochmann's class .

Pedro Amaral moved then to Paris, to study at the Paris Superior Conservatoire (CNSM) with Emmanuel Nunes. Four years later, he graduated with the "First Prize in Composition", awarded by unanimous vote of the jury.

Later on, he studied conducting with Peter Eötvös (Eötvös Institute, 2000) and Emilio Pomarico (Milan Scuola Civica, 2001).

Formação

Iniciou os seus estudos em composição como aluno privado de F. Lopes-Graça, a partir de 1986, ao mesmo tempo que prosseguia a sua formação musical geral, no Instituto Gregoriano. Ingressa em seguida na Escola Superior de Música de Lisboa (1991/94) onde conclui o curso de composição na classe do Prof. Christopher Bochmann.

Instala-se depois em Paris, onde estuda com Emmanuel Nunes no Conservatório Superior (CNSM). Quatro anos mais tarde, graduar-se-ia com o "Primeiro Prémio em Composição" por unanimidade do júri.

Estudou ainda direcção de orquestra com Peter Eötvös (Eötvös Institute, 2000) e Emilio Pomarico (Scuola Civica de Milão, 2001).

Formation

Il a commencé ses études en composition comme élève privé de F. Lopes-Graça, en 1986, tandis qu'il poursuivait sa formation musicale générale à l'Institut Grégorien. Il rentre ensuite au Conservatoire Supérieur de Lisbonne (1991/94) où il complétera le coursus de composition dans la classe du Prof. Christopher Bochmann.

Pedro Amaral s'installa alors à Paris ; il étudiera avec Emmanuel Nunes au Conservatoire Supérieur (CNSM). Quatre années plus tard, il aura complété son cycle de formation, avec un "Premier Prix en Composition" à l'unanimité du jury.

Plus tard, il étudie encore la direction d'orchestre avec Peter Eötvös (Eötvös Institute, 2000) et Emilio Pomarico (Scuola Civica de Milan, 2001).

Theoretical works

In parallel with his practical apprenticeship, Pedro Amaral proceeded with university studies at the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales, in Paris, obtaining a Masters degree in contemporary musicology with a thesis on K. Stockhausen's "Gruppen" (1998) and, later on, in 2003, a Ph.D. with a thesis on "Momente" and the problematic of musical form in serial music. About this huge analysis, K. Stockhausen commented, in Le Monde de la Musique (September 2003): "It is an excellent work that taught me a lot of things" - he then invited Pedro Amaral to become his assistant in some specific projects.

Pedro Amaral develops now a permanent activity in musicology, writing articles, giving speeches, presenting workshops and master-classes.

Trabalhos teóricos

Paralelamente à sua formação musical prática, Pedro Amaral prosseguiu estudos universitários na Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales, em Paris, obtendo um Mestrado em musicologia contemporânea, com uma tese sobre "Gruppen" de K. Stockhausen (1998) e, mais tarde, em 2003, um doutoramento com uma tese sobre "Momente" e a problemática da forma na música serial. Àcerca desta sua vasta análise, K. Stockhausen declarou, in Le Monde de la Musique (Setembro 2003): "Trata-se de uma obra excelente com a qual aprendi imensas coisas" - o que o levou a convidar Pedro Amaral como seu assistente em diversos projectos.

Pedro Amaral desenvolve actualmente uma actividade permanente no campo da musicologia, escrevendo artigos, dando conferências, apresentando workshops e master-classes.
  

Travaux théoriques

Parallèlement à sa formation pratique comme compositeur, Pedro Amaral poursuivit des études universitaires à l'Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales, à Paris. Il obtiendra notamment un DEA en musicologie du XXe siècle, avec un mémoire sur "Gruppen" de K. Stockhausen (1998) et, plus tard, en 2003, un Doctorat avec une thèse consacrée à "Momente" et la problématique de la forme dans la musique sérielle. Sur cette vaste analyse, K. Stockhausen commenta, in Le Monde de la Musique (septembre 2003): "C'est un ouvrage excellent, qui m'a appris beaucoup de choses". Peu après, Stockhausen l'invita à devenir son assistant pour certain projets.

Actuellement, Pedro Amaral développe une activité permanente dans le domaine de la musicologie, écrivant des articles, donnant des conférences, présentant des workshops et des master-classes.

The Ircam connection

During his first stay at the French institute IRCAM, in 1998/99, he composed "Transmutations", for piano and live electronics, which was first performed in Paris, in 1999. The work was also chosen to represent Portugal at the UNESCO International Composers Tribune, where it was broadcasted by radio stations all over the world. At the end of 2001 the same piece represented the Portuguese section of ISCM at the World Music Days Festival in Japan. Still in the same year, the city of Porto, European Capital of Culture 2001, commissioned him "Organa", for ensemble and live electronics ad libitum, which was also developed at IRCAM's studios. In 2003/2004, Pedro Amaral came for the third time to IRCAM as "compositeur en recherche". He then composed the long "Script", for percussion and live electronics.

A "Conexão" Ircam

Durante a sua primeira estadia no instituto Francês IRCAM, em 1998/99, Pedro Amaral compôs "Transmutations", para piano e electrónica em tempo real, estreada em Paris, em 1999. A obra foi em seguida escolhida para representar Portugal na Tribuna Internacional de Compositores da UNESCO, na sequência da qual, foi transmitida por estações de rádio em todo o mundo. No fim de 2001, a mesma obra representaria ainda Portugal no Festival World Music Days, no Japão. Nesse mesmo ano, a cidade do Porto, Capital Europeia da Cultura 2001, encomendar-lhe-ia "Organa", para ensamble e electrónica em tempo real ad libitum, cuja parte electroacústica foi também desenvolvida nos estúdios do IRCAM. Em 2003/2004, Pedro Amaral regressa pela terceira vez ao Instituto, como "compositeur en recherche". Compôs então a sua longa obra "Script", para percussão e electrónica em tempo real.

La "Connexion" Ircam

Pendant son premier séjour à l'IRCAM, en 1998/99, il composa "Transmutations", pour piano et électronique en temps réel, dont la première eut lieu à Paris en 1999. L'oeuvre fut également choisie pour représenter le Portugal devant la Tribune Internationale de Compositeurs de l'UNESCO, étant diffusée, par la suite, par des stations de radio à travers le monde entier. A la fin 2001, la même pièce représenta une deuxième fois le Portugal, dans le cadre du Festival World Music Days, au Japon. Toujours dans la même année, la ville de Porto, Capitale Européenne de la Culture 2001, lui commanda "Organa", pour ensemble et électronique en temps réel ad libitum, dont la partie technique fut également développée dans les studios de l'IRCAM. En 2003/2004, Pedro Amaral retourna une troisième fois à l'Institut, en tant que "compositeur en recherche". Il y composa alors son long "Script" , pour percussion et électronique en temps réel.

Commissions

Amaral's works have been commissioned by the Gulbenkian Foundation, the French Ministry of Culture, the Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR), the Macao International Music festival, the Musica Viva Festival, the Grame (Lyon), the city of "Porto - European Capital of Culture 2001", the city of Matosinhos, the Casa da Música... 		 

Encomendas

As suas obras foram encomendadas pela Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, pelo Ministério da Cultura Francês, pela Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR), pelo Festival Internacional de Macau, pelo Festival Musica Viva, pelo Grame (Lyon), pelo "Porto 2001 - Capital Europeia da Cultura", pela cidade de Matosinhos, pela Casa da Música... 		 

Commandes

Ses oeuvres lui ont été commandées par la Fondation Gulbenkian, par le Ministère de la Culture (Français), par la Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR), par le Festival International de Macao, par le Festival Musica Viva, par le Grame (Lyon), par la ville de "Porto - Capitale Européenne de la Culture 2001", par la ville de Matosinhos, par la Casa da Música...

Residences

Pedro Amaral has been "composer in residence" at the Herrenhaus Edenkoben, Germany, Villa Medici, in Rome, and at the Lenzi Palace in Florence, Italy.

Residências

Pedro Amaral foi "compositor residente" na Herrenhaus Edenkoben, Alemanha, na Villa Medici, em Roma, e no Palácio Lenzi, em Florença, Itália.

Résidences

Pedro Amaral a été "compositeur résident" à l'Herrenhaus Edenkoben, Allemagne, à la Villa Medici, à Rome, ainsi qu'au Palais Lenzi, à Florence, Italie.

Performers

His music is a regular presence at the most important Festivals, being performed by soloists such as C. Desjardins, P. Gallois, P. Carneiro, A. Corazziari, A.L. Gastaldi, J.M. Cottet, Y.Shibuya, J. Gottlieb..., under his own conducting as well as under the conducting of Peter Eötvös, Mark Foster, Muhai Tang, Lucas Pfaff, Renato Rivolta, Johannes Kalitzke, Franck Ollu, Etienne Siebens, Michael Zilm and many others.

Músicos

Presença habitual nos mais importantes festivais, a sua música é tocada por solistas como C. Desjardins, P. Gallois, P. Carneiro, A. Corazziari, A.L. Gastaldi, J.M. Cottet, Y.Shibuya, J. Gottlieb..., sob a sua direcção ou sob a direcção de maestros como Peter Eötvös, Mark Foster, Muhai Tang, Lucas Pfaff, Renato Rivolta, Johannes Kalitzke, Franck Ollu, Etienne Siebens, Michael Zilm e muitos outros.

Musiciens

Sa musique est une présence habituelle dans les plus importants festivals, étant jouée par des solistes comme C. Desjardins, P. Gallois, P. Carneiro, A. Corazziari, A.L. Gastaldi, J.M. Cottet, Y.Shibuya, J. Gottlieb..., sous sa direction ainsi que sous la direction de chefs comme Peter Eötvös, Mark Foster, Muhai Tang, Lucas Pfaff, Renato Rivolta, Johannes Kalitzke, Franck Ollu, Etienne Siebens, Michael Zilm et bien d'autres.

Orchestras and ensembles

As composer and/or as conductor, Pedro Amaral works regularly with Gulbenkian Orchestra, Youth Symphony Orchestra, Lisbon Metropolitan Orchestra, Portuguese Symphony Orchestra, Portuguese Chamber Orchestra, OrquestrUtopica, São Paulo Symphony Orchestra, Ensemble InterContemporain, London Sinfonietta, Prometheus Ensemble (Brussels), Ensemble Futures Musiques (Paris), Les Percussions de Strasbourg, Ensemble Ebrouitez-vous! (Rennes), Ensemble Alternance (Paris), Quatuor Parisii (Paris), Ensemble Recherche (Freiburg), Ensemble Aventure (Freiburg), musikFabrik (Cologne), Piano Possibile (Munich), Art Respirant (Tokyo), Remix Ensemble (Porto), Grupo de Música Contemporânea de Lisboa, Ensemble SeicentoNovecento, Ensemble Contemporâneus Voces Coelestes Choir... He is presently the chief conductor of Sond'Ar-Te Electric Ensemble as well as, from 2008/09, the chief conductor of the National Conservatoire Orchestra.

 

Orquestras e ensambles

Como compositor e/ou maestro, Pedro Amaral trabalha regularmente com a Orquestra Gulbenkian, a Orquestra Sinfónica Juvenil, a Orquestra Metropolitana de Lisboa, a OrquestrUtopica, a Orquestra Sinfónica Portuguesa, a Orquestra de Câmara Portuguesa, a Orquestra Sinfónica de São Paulo, o Ensemble InterContemporain, a London Sinfonietta, o Prometheus Ensemble (Bruxelas), o Ensemble Futures Musiques (Paris), as Percussions de Strasbourg, o Ensemble Ebrouitez-vous! (Rennes), o Ensemble Alternance (Paris), o Quatuor Parisii (Paris), o Ensemble Recherche (Freiburg), o Ensemble Aventure (Freiburg), musikFabrik (Colónia), Piano Possibile (Munique), o Ensemble Art Respirant (Tóquio), Remix Ensemble (Porto), Grupo de Música Contemporânea de Lisboa, Ensemble Contemporâneus, Coro Voces Coelestes... É actualmente maestro titular do Sond'Ar-Te Electric Ensemble e, desde 2008, maestro titular da Orquestra do Conservatório Nacional.

Orchestres et ensembles

Comme compositeur et/ou comme chef, Pedro Amaral travaille régulièrement avec l'Orchestre Gulbenkian, l'Orchestre Symphonique de la Jeunesse, l'Orchestre Métropolitain de Lisbonne, l'Orchestre Symphonique de l'Opéra de Lisbonne, Orchestre de Chambre Portugais, l' OrquestrUtopica, l'Orchestre Symphonique de la ville de São Paulo (Brésil), l'Ensemble InterContemporain, la London Sinfonietta, le Prometheus Ensemble (Bruxelles), l'Ensemble Futures Musiques (Paris), Les Percussions de Strasbourg, l'Ensemble Ebrouitez-vous! (Rennes), l'Ensemble Alternance (Paris), le Quatuor Parisii (Paris), l'Ensemble Recherche (Freiburg), l'Ensemble Aventure (Freiburg), musikFabrik (Cologne), Piano Possibile (Munich), l'Ensemble Art Respirant (Tokyo), Remix Ensemble (Porto), Grupo de Música Contemporânea de Lisboa, l'Ensemble Contemporâneus, le Choeur Voces Coelestes... Il est actuellement le directeur musical du Sond'Ar-Te Electric Ensemble et chef permanent de l'Orchestre du Conservatoire National de Musique (Lisbonne).

CDs

In 2007, the new label Gulbenkian/UK presented Amaral's first monographic CD: four of his works - Textos , Spirales , Organa , Paraphrase - recorded by the London Sinfonietta under his conducting.

CDs

Em 2007, a nova editora Gulbenkian/UK lança o primeiro CD monográfico de Pedro Amaral, com quatro das suas obras - Textos , Spirales , Organa , Paraphrase - interpretadas pela London Sinfonietta sob a sua direcção.

CDs

En 2007, le nouveau label Gulbenkian/UK sort le premier CD monographique de Pedro Amaral, avec quatre oeuvres - Textos , Spirales , Organa , Paraphrase - interprétées par le London Sinfonietta sous la direction du compositeur.