Contents


Collection Summary

Biographical Sketch

Scope and Content Note

Organization of the Alberto Nepomuceno Collection

Selected Search Terms

Container List

Music, 1887-1920

Catalogs and Other Printed Matter, 1864-1920

Photographs, 1864-1920

Alberto Nepomuceno Collection

Processed by the Music Division of the Library of Congress

2005

Collection Summary

Creator Nepomuceno, Alberto, 1864-1920
Title Alberto Nepomuceno Collection
Span Dates 1887-1920(bulk 1894-1920)
Abstract: The collection consists primarily of scores, most of them photocopies of holographs, and printed material, including two operas, nine orchestral and twelve chamber and solo works, as well as about forty songs and other vocal works. In addition, the collection contains a small number of photographs, portraits of the composer and his wife, books, catalogs, and other printed materials.
Extent: circa 150 items6 boxes13 linear feet
Language: Collection material in English
Identification: ML31.N46

Biographical Sketch

Date Event
1864 On July 6 Alberto Nepomuceno was born in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil to Victor Augusto Nepomuceno (1840-1880), violinist and organist of the Fortaleza's Cathedral, and his wife Maria Virginia de Oliveira Paiva (1846-1892).
1872 His family moved to Recife (Pernambuco). He began his musical studies (piano and violin) with his father.
1880 After his father's death, he started to work in a typographical shop to help his mother and sister Emilia. He began studies in harmony with Maestro Euclides Fonseca.
1881 Professor Tobias Barreto coached him in his studies of philosophy and German.
1883 He played violin in the orchestra of the Santa Isabel Opera House at the premiere of Leonor, an opera composed by his teacher Euclides Fonseca. He actively joined the civic republican and abolitionist movement of the northeast Brazilian region.
1885 The Legislative Assembly of Ceará presented a petition to the Imperial Government to re-activate Nepomuceno's scholarship to study in Europe that was initially rescinded due to his political activities. He settled in Rio de Janeiro and for the first time gave a piano concert at the Club Beethoven. Also, he toured the country with cellist Frederico Nascimento.
1886 He became a piano teacher at the Club Beethoven and studied harmony with Miguel Cardozo.
1887 He composed his first compositions for piano, some songs, and a march for orchestra.
1888 In May at The Club Iracema (Fortaleza) he premiered his first major composition Dança de negros which later became his Batuque for orchestra. In August, he traveled to Europe.
1889 Nepomuceno enrolled at the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome and began his studies with Eugenio Terziani (harmony), Giovanni Sgambatti (piano), and Cesare de Sanctis.
1890 In August he left Rome and enrolled at the Akademische Meister Schulle in Berlin where he began his composition studies with Heinrich von Herzogenberg (1843-1900), a distinguished friend of Brahms.
1891 During his vacation, he travelled to Vienna and heard concerts by Brahms and Hans von Bülow. He also attended classes with Theodor Lechetitzky and met the Norwegian pianist Walborg Rendtler Bang, a pupil of Grieg, and Nepomuceno's future wife.
1892 He transferred to Berlin's Stern Conservatory to study composition and organ with Arnó Kleffel (1840-1913) and piano with H. Ehrlich (1822-1899) for two years.
1893 In July, he travelled to Christiania (Oslo) and married Walborg Rendtler Bang. They had four children: Eivind, Sigurd, Sigrid and Astrid. The couple resided for a time at the Grieg home, in Bergen, where they discussed the idea of creating a Brazilian musical patrimony. He studied with organist Christian Cappelen for three months.
1894 At the final examinations at the Stern Conservatory Nepomuceno conducted the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra performing his own works, Scherzo für grosses Orchester and Suite antiga. In April, he was nominated Professor of Organ "ad absentio" at the National Institute of Music (NIM) in Rio de Janeiro.
1894 He went to Paris to attend the Schola Cantorum organ courses with Alexandre Guilmant. There he met and discussed music with Camille Saint-Saëns, Charles Bordes and Vincent D'Indy. Nepomuceno was invited by Sorbone's Professor of Greek Charles Chabault to write the incidental music to Sophocles' Electra.
1895 In July, Nepomuceno returned to Rio de Janeiro and gave a historical concert as pianist, organist, and conductor of his works at the NIM.
1896 Nepomuceno was nominated Professor of Composition at the NIM, and Conductor at the Associaçao dos Concertos Populares. In two years, he premiered many works of new Brazilian composers.
1897 On August 1 the NIM organized a major Festival Alberto Nepomuceno. He conducted the premiere of his major symphonic works: Série Brasileira, Symphony in G minor, and As Uyaras among others.
1898 On October 14 Nepomuceno's first opera, Artemis, was premiered at the Teatro São Pedro de Alcântara.
1902 On July 12 Nepomuceno is nominated Director of NIM.
1904 On October 20 he conducted the premiere of O Garatuja. He was designated by the NIM to welcome Saint-Saëns on his arrival in Brazil.
1908 He organized and conducted a 26-concert series, with premieres of major French, Russian, and Brazilian works.
1909 He presented a project to the National Congress for the creation of a National Orchestra subsidized by the government.
1910 He was sent to Brussels, Geneva, and Paris by the Brazilian Government to conduct Brazilian music. He visited Debussy who presented him with the autograph of Pélleas et Mélisande.
1913 On June 30 he traveled to Buenos Aires to attend the world premiere of his opera Abul at the Teatro Coliseo. He conducted a tribute to a Wagner centennial at Rio's Teatro Municipal.
1915 On April 15 he attended the European premiere of Abul at Rome's Teatro Costanzi.
1916 He made a Portuguese translation of Schönberg's Harmonielehre and tried to force it upon the NIM without success.
1919 He conducted his last concerts at the Teatro Municipal and, with the premiere of Villa-Lobos' Concerto for Cello, introduced a new composer to the public.
1920 In February he asked his editor Sampaio Araújo to publish the first of Villa-Lobos' works. In June he was awarded the Gold Medal from King Albert of Belgium for his devotion to Belgian welfare during the war.
1920 On September 23 Richard Strauss conducted the Vienna Philharmonic in his O Garatuja.
1920 On October 16 Nepomuceno died at the age of 56 in Rio de Janeiro.

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Scope and Content Note

The Alberto Nepomuceno Collection reveals a major composer who was a pioneer among Brazilian musicians and who was recognized as the "father" of musical nationalism in his country. In addition to being the first to incorporate native themes and rhythms into art music in Brazil, he developed a brilliant career as a prominent teacher and theoretician, an orchestra conductor, pianist and organist, and a musical administrator.

Nepomuceno, born in the middle of the nineteenth century, received his early musical education in Brazil from his father, a church organist. Later he became highly cultivated during his scholarly years of musical studies in Europe in the best conservatories of that time, such as Rome's Santa Cecilia, Paris' Schola Cantorum and Berlin's Akademische Meister Schulle, among others. He was fluent in five languages and became acquainted with major composers of the twentieth century, among them Debussy, Saint-Saëns, D'Indy, and Richard Strauss, all of whom praised his works. In addition, his marriage to the distinguished Norwegian pianist Walborg Rendtler Bang allowed him to establish a personal friendship with Edward Grieg.

Parallel to a major career in composition and conducting, Nepomuceno's passion was to give his country a better and more advanced musical curricula. As a professor of composition he tried to apply new systems, for example, Schönberg's Harmony Treatise, but was unable to persuade the musicians of his time to change the traditional way of teaching. Nevertheless, thanks to his tireless work for the recognition of Brazilian nationalism and encouragement of young and new composers, he was able, just one year before his death, to conduct and introduce to the public Heitor Villa-Lobos' work.

From his stage works to the piano pieces Nepomuceno's eclecticism is the common attribute of his whole output. His style goes from a conventional romantic trend passing through transitional styles to the fiery rhythms of the Afro-Brazilian dances. In the middle of these periods can be found piano works that recreated a harpsichord-like resemblance, such as, the early Suite Antiga, as well as vivacious and spontaneous dance-like urban tunes as the "maxixe" and the "choro" with Galhofeira as its best example.

The collection consists primarily of scores, most of them photocopies of holographs, and printed material. Among the printed scores the original rare Portuguese-Italian edition of his opera Abul, in a piano-vocal score, printed by Sonzogno of Milan, in 1913, and also a photocopy of the piano-vocal score of the French-Portuguese version of the opera Artemis. Following in importance is the full score of his Série Brasileira of which the last movement, the famous "Batuque," was the first symphonic undertaking to picture one aspect of the unique Brazilian folk life. This collection also contains the printed full score of the prelude O Garatuja, a work that was conducted and acclaimed by Richard Strauss.

The chamber music although small in quantity is quite significant because it contains, among other items, the composer's three major string quartets. The third in D minor "Brasileiro," dated Berlin 1891, is another earlier example of the use of Brazilian thematic rhythms in art music.

The vocal music, about seventy piano-vocal scores with German, French, Italian, Swedish and Portuguese texts, illustrates the development of Nepomuceno from his European early style to the works that depict the sometimes melancholic perception of the Brazilian soul. The piano works, with similar characteristics, have a wide range from the aforementioned Suite antiga to the Quatro peças lyricas, written in a romantic style at the beginning, but finishing with the syncopated pattern and the distinctive improvisation of the "choro."

Even though the collection is small in size, it contains a variety of works in each genre showing the development of Nepomuceno's musical career, from a strictly European composer to the first Brazilian to achieve stature as the founder of musical nationalism in his country. It encompasses a 33-year period, from his early works in 1887 until his last in 1920. In addition, the collection contains a small amount of photographs, portraits of the composer and his wife, and also books, catalogs and other printed materials published during the last sixty years.

Nevertheless his relevance as a creator and his contribution to the Brazilian musical culture goes far beyond. In addition to his career as a major composition teacher and director of the National Institute of Music, he must be remembered as a conductor who not only was the first to lead the symphonic works of his young fellow-citizens, but also the Brazilian premieres of the music of Wagner and all the major French and Russian composers of the first half of the twentieth century.

Finally, the collection is complemented with several long playing 33-1/3 rpm records that contain symphonic, choral, vocal, chamber music and piano works, performed and conducted by Brazilian musicians. The record collection is located in the Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division.

Susana Salgado, 1998

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Selected Search Terms

People

  • Nepomuceno, Alberto, 1864-1920--Manuscripts.
  • Nepomuceno, Alberto, 1864-1920--Photographs.
  • Nepomuceno, Alberto, 1864-1920.
  • Nepomuceno, Alberto, 1864-1920.

Subjects

  • Composers--Brazil--Photographs.
  • Music--Manuscripts--Facsimiles.
  • Music--Manuscripts.

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Organization of the Alberto Nepomuceno Collection

The Alberto Nepomuceno Collection is organized in 3 series:

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Container List

Music, 1887-1920

The Music series consists primarily of scores, most of them photocopies of holographs, and printed material.

Arrangement is by genre and title.

Stage

Abul, opera in 3 acts Piano-vocal score

Artémis, episodio lyrico em um acto Photocopy of printed piano-vocal score, photocopy of holograph[?] full score of the Interludio, photocopy of libretto included

Orchestral Works

Adagio para cordas Photocopy of copyist's manuscript score in ink

Andante expressivo Photocopy of copyist's manuscript score in ink

Batuque, danza de negros Photocopy of offset printed full score

O Garatuja, préludio Printed full score

Serenata Photocopy of copyist's manuscript full score in ink

Série Brasileira, I Alvorada na serra, II Intermédio, III A sesta na rede, IV Batuque Photocopy of offset printed full score

Squerzo (Scherzo) Photocopy of copyist's manuscript score in ink

Suite Antiga, op. 11 Photocopy of copyist's manuscript score in ink

Valses humoristiques pour piano et orchéstre (Valsas humorísticas) Photocopies of manuscript full score in ink and printed full score (2 copies)

Chamber Music

Cançao, Manobra Militar, Minueto Printed guitar score

Devaneio, 1919 Photocopy of printed piano-violin score and violin part

Erinnerung (Souvenir) Manuscript score in ink

Offertoire Photocopy of printed organ score

Piano trio, in F sharp minor Photocopy of printed score

Prece (obra posthuma) Photocopy of printed piano-violin score

Prélude et fugue Photocopy of printed organ or harmonium score

Romance Photocopy of printed piano-cello score

String quartet no.1, in B minor Photocopies of holograph score and offset printed parts

String quartet no.2, in G minor Photocopy of copyist's manuscript score in ink

String quartet no.3, in D minor, "Brasileiro" Photocopy of copyist's manuscript score and offset printed parts

Tarantella Photocopy of printed piano-cello score

Songs

2 Cançôes: Coração triste, Philomela (Filomena), op. 18, no.1 Printed piano-vocal score

12 Cançôes: As Uyáras, Medroso de Amor, Madrigal, Coraçao triste, Printed piano-choral and piano-vocal score

Philomela (vol. I only) Printed piano-choral and piano-vocal score

A Jangada, cançao Photocopy of printed piano-vocal score

Aime-moi Photocopy of copyist's manuscript piano-vocal score

Antigas modinhas brasileiras Printed piano-vocal score

Ao amanecer, op. 34, no.1, Anoitece, op. 34, no.2 Printed piano-vocal score

Ave Maria [no.1] Printed piano-vocal score

Ave Maria [no.2] Printed piano-vocal score

Ave Maria [no.3] Printed chorus-vocal score

Canção, op. 30, no.2 Photocopy of printed of piano-vocal score

Canção da ausencia Printed piano-vocal score

Canção de amor (Liebeslied), op. 19, no.2 Photocopy of printed piano-vocal score

Cantigas Photocopy of printed piano-vocal score

Cantilena Photocopy of printed piano-vocal score

Canto Nupcial Photocopy of printed piano-vocal score

Cantos da Salamita Photocopy of copyist's manuscript piano-vocal score

Coração indeciso, canção, op. 30, no.1 Printed piano-vocal score

Cornetas Photocopy of manuscript piano-vocal score

Désirs d'hiver Printed piano-vocal score

Desterro Photocopy of copyist's manuscript piano-vocal score

Dolor supremus, op. 21, no.2 Photocopy of piano-vocal score

Duas cançoes Photocopy of printed piano-vocal score

Duas poesias, op. 26 Printed piano-vocal score

Duas poesias, op. 31 Printed piano-vocal scores (2 copies)

Duas poesias, Sempre!, Dôr sem consolo, op. 32 Printed piano-vocal score

Einklang Photocopy of copyist's manuscript piano-vocal score

Epithalamio Photocopy of copyist's manuscript piano-vocal score

Gedicht Photocopy of copyist's manuscript piano-vocal score

Herbst Photocopy of copyist's manuscript piano-vocal score

Der Himmel Photocopy of holograph piano-vocal score

Hino Nacional Printed piano-vocal score

Hymno do Ceará Photocopy of printed piano-vocal score

Ingemisco Photocopy of copyist's manuscript piano-vocal score

Invoção á Cruz Printed piano-vocal score

Le miracle de la Semence, tragipoëme Printed piano-vocal score

Le miroir d'or Photocopy of manuscript piano-vocal score

Les yeux élus Printed piano-vocal score

Mater Dolorosa, op. 14, no.1 Printed piano-vocal score

Morta (Trovas do morte) Photocopy of copyist's manuscript piano-vocal score

Nossa Velhice Printed piano-vocal score

Numa Concha, Canção Printed piano-vocal score

O Baile na Flor Printed choral score

Occaso Photocopy of printed piano-vocal score

Olha-me! Printed piano-vocal score

Oração ao diabo, op. 20, no.2 Photocopy of printed piano-vocal score

Ora dize-me a verdade, op. 12, no.1 Photocopy of printed piano-vocal score

Perché? Photocopy of copyist's manuscript piano-vocal score

Razão e amor (Obra póstuma) Printed piano-vocal score

Soneto, op. 21, no.3 Photocopy of printed piano-vocal score

Sonhei, op. 19, no.1 Photocopy of printed piano-vocal score

Trovas, op. 29, no.1 and no.2 Photocopy of printed piano-vocal scores (2 copies)

Tu és o sol!, op. 14, no.2 Photocopy of printed piano-vocal score

Un soneto del Dante Photocopy of holograph piano-vocal score

Versos (II) Printed piano-vocal score

Wiege sie sauft Photocopy of holograph piano-vocal score

Der wunde Ritter Photocopy of copyist's manuscript piano-vocal score with lyrics on back

Xácara, op. 20, no.1 Photocopy of printed piano-vocal score

Piano Works

1a. Mazurka Printed piano score

II Nocturno para piano Photocopy of copyist's manuscript score in ink

4 Peças lyricas, op. 13, 1. Anhelo, 2. Valsa, 3. Dialogo, 4. Galhofeira Printed piano score

Batuque, no.4 da Série brasileira Piano-conductor score

Brasileira Printed piano score

Canção, Peças infantís no.1 Printed piano score

Cloches de Noël Printed piano score

Deux morceaux Photocopy of printed piano score

Devaneio, op. 27, no.1 Photocopy of printed piano score

Five small pieces for left hand for children Typescript and manuscript piano score in ink

Folha d'album no.1 Printed piano score

Folha d'album no.2 Printed piano score

Folha d'album no.3 Photocopy of printed piano score

Galhofeira, op.13, no.4 Printed piano score

Improviso, op.27, no.2 Photocopy of printed piano score

Insistência, no.4 Serie peças infantís Printed piano score

Manobra Militar, marcha Printed piano score

Melodia (Meia força) Photocopy of printed piano score

Nocturne for the left hand alone Photocopy of printed piano score

Noturno Printed piano score

O garatuja, prelúdio Printed piano score

Peças infantís, no.3 Menuet Printed piano score

Prece, obra postuma Printed piano score

Sonata in F minor, op.9 Photocopy of manuscript score in ink (2 copies)

Suite antique, op.11 Printed piano score

Thème et variations, op.28 Photocopy of printed piano score

Une fleur, romance Printed piano score

Valse-Impromptu Photocopy of manuscript score in ink

Variations sur un thème original, op.29 Photocopy of printed piano score

Catalogs and Other Printed Matter, 1864-1920

The Catalogs and Other Printed Matter series consists of books, catalogs and other printed materials published during the last sixty years.

Arrangement is by author and title.

Alberto Nepomuceno, Directeur de l'Institut National de Musique, Rio de Janeiro.

Alvim Corrêa, Sergio Nepomuceno. Alberto Nepomuceno, Catalogo Geral, Secretaria da Cultura, 1985

Alvim Corrêa, Sergio Nepomuceno. Biography and comment about Nepomuceno's "O Garatuja."

Biblioteca Nacional. Exposiçao Comemorativa do Centenário do Nascimento de Alberto Nepomuceno, Rio de Janeiro, 1964.

Blume, Friedrich, ed. Die Musik in Geschichte und Gegenwart. Entry on Alberto Nepomuceno, Bärenreiter Kassel, Basel, London, New York

Conservatório de Música Alberto Nepomuceno. Atividades do Ano de 1963, Fortaleza, Dezembro de 1963

De Almeida, Zélia de. Perfil Biográfico do Maestro Alberto Nepomuceno, Niterói, 1964

Ministerio Da Cultura. Música Brasileira Para Orquestra, Catálogo Geral, 1988

Sadie, Stanley, Ed. The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, Macmillan, London, 1980.

Photographs, 1864-1920

The Photographs series contains portraits of the composer and his wife.

Arrangement is chronological.

Portrait : A N, 1898

Portrait : A N, 1908

Portrait : A N, in Norway, 1900 (mounted photocopy)

Portrait : A N, 1910

Portrait : A N, in front of the National Institute of Music (mounted photocopy) [n.d.]

Portrait : A N, 1918 (mounted photocopy)

Portrait : A N, last photo, 1918 (mounted photocopy)

Portrait : Walborg Reutler Bang (Nepomuceno's wife) (mounted photocopy)

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