1917 - 2017: Piano Tradition at the Oporto Music Conservatory. 100 Years of History

By The Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Conservatório de Música do Porto

This exhibition is the result of a selection of images, obtained from the memory preserved in photographs and other historical documents, which are part of the collection of the Conservatory of Music of Porto, other institutions and private collections. Its aim is to remember and honor the successive generations of teachers / pianists, emphasizing their importance and contribution in the construction of the history of the Oporto Music Conservatory from the foundation to the present time.

Bechstein Hall - Pianos and art objects Department Stores (1910) by UnknownThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

At the Dawn of the 20th century

The second half of the 19th century corresponds to a golden age in the city of Porto. The rise of the middle class allied to the prosperity of trade and industry led to major development, endowing the city with a few unique structures. One of these was the Crystal Palace, inaugurated in 1865 with the Portuguese International Exhibition. Amidst the various technological innovations then on show, there were a significant number of Portuguese and foreign makers of musical instruments. As a hard-working trading city Porto should also be characterised by its cultural activity, which flourished simultaneously in the fields of arts and letters. At the end of the 19th century events came to a head with the foundation of the Sociedade de Quartetos (Society of Quartets) (1890) and Orpheon Portuense (1891) by Bernardo Moreira de Sá, the Sociedade dos Concertos Sinfónicos (Society of Symphonic Concerts) (1910) by Raymundo de Macedo, the proliferation of musical instrument shops, the publication and sale of sheet music and a substantial number of musicians who, until the creation of Porto Music Conservatory, taught music privately, the favourite instrument being the piano. Present at society meetings at the time, as recounted by Helena Sá e Costa “playing the piano was a custom, part of one’s education when many talents were revealed”. Private piano classes continued the tradition of weekly individual lessons, culminating in public presentations of students and teachers throughout the city, mostly in salons associated with the musical instrument shops (Salão Bechstein, Sala Moreira de Sá, Casa Mello Abreu, Salão Beethoven, Salão Orfeo), but also at the Salão Nobre do Centro Commercial (Commercial Centre Great Hall), Clube Fenianos Portuense (Porto Fenians Club), Ateneu Comercial (Commercial Athenaeum), to name just a few. Raymundo de Macedo,Óscar da Silva, Luiz Costa, Ernesto Maia and José Cassagne are some of the most prominent pianists and teachers of the time. Having trained mainly in Lisbon and in Germany they were part of the generation that stimulated the opening of Porto Music Conservatory and were members of the first corps of teaching staff in 1917.

Musical Session of Ernesto Maia pupils at Centro Commercial (Commercial Centre) (1898) by UnknownThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Since 1894, Ernesto Maia introduced his students in private musical sessions. From 1898, these sessions began to take place in the Hall of the Commercial Center, former Palacete do Conde da Trindade located in the current Carlos Alberto Square in Oporto

Ernesto Maia, a future piano teacher at the music conservatory he was considered by Michel’Angelo Lambertini as “one of the most intelligent teachers of piano and harmonium in Porto”.

Program of a students hearing of Luiz Costa and Moreira de Sá at Moreira de Sá Salon, Unknown, 1907, From the collection of: The Conservatory of Music of Oporto
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Article about Pedro Blanco students' recital, published by Ilustração Portuguesa magazine in 1914., Portuguese Ilustration: llustrated and Artistic Magazine, 1914, From the collection of: The Conservatory of Music of Oporto
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Program of the 4th rehearsal of students Luiz Costa at the Mello Abreu Salon, Casa Mello e Abreu, 1918/1918, From the collection of: The Conservatory of Music of Oporto
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Bechstein Hall - Pianos and art objects Department Stores (1910) by UnknownThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Property of the pianist Raymundo de Macedo, at the time one of the most reputed Salons, had an intense musical activity proven by the numerous concerts and recitals that were performed by the biggest names of the musical scene of the city of Porto. (Liberal:2013)

Óscar da Silva, Raymundo de Macedo, Luiz Costa and his wife Leonilda Moreira de Sá, promoted in this space many auditions of their students, whose high level was recorded in the press of the time

The Tradition of the Piano in the Conservatory of Music of Porto (1917 - 1940) by Conservatory of Music of PortoThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

First generation of piano teachers of the Conservatory of Music of Oporto (2017/2017) by Ana CancelaThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Founding teachers of the Conservatory of Music of Oporto (1917) by UnknownThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

The first generation of piano teachers at Porto Music Conservatory

At the end of the 19th century Leipzig and Berlin were the cities of choice for the majority of Portuguese musicians looking to perfect their training. For a long time these were two of the most important musical centres in Europe, particularly given the quality of the teaching of its conservatories: in Leipzig the Music Conservatory founded by Félix Mendelssohn in 1843 and in Berlin the Scharwenka Conservatory founded in 1893.

Joseph Cassagne (1881-1939) and Raymundo de Macedo (1889-1931) both graduated from the Conservatory of Music in Leipzig, the latter being a pupil of Adolf Ruthardt, Han Sitt and Arthur Nikisch. For his part, Luiz Costa completed his training in Berlin with Bernhard Stavenhagen, Conrad Ansorge and Ferrucio Busoni, representatives of the "New German Piano School" founded by Franz Liszt. Except for this list Ernesto Maia who in 1883 goes to Paris to study with Marie Jaell and Pedro Blanco (1883 - 1919), a native of Leon, completed his training at the Royal Conservatory of Madrid, where he studied with Andrés Monge, and finally, Joaquim Gonçalves de Freitas (1871 - 1943) which is included as one of the most gifted students of Óscar da Silva.

Photo of Ernesto Maia and Laura with dedication to Lambertini. (12/06/1909) by UnknownThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Ernesto Maia was part of the first teaching staff at the Conservatory in 1917, appointed deputy director and piano teacher, and then, between 1922 and 1924, took over from Bernardo Moreira de Sá as director.

The pianist Raymundo de Macedo by Costa & Carvalho, PortoThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

The pianist Raymundo de Macedo was one of the great promoters of the foundation of the Conservatory of Music of Porto. In 1916 he elaborates a project to found a conservatory, which he presents to the Porto City Hall.However, it was not until 1917, at the initiative of Eduardo Santos Silva, Mayor, that the Conservatory of Music of Porto was established in a City Hall session on June 1. Raymundo de Macedo was invited to join the first faculty as a piano teacher.

Article about the pianist Raymundo de Macedo - Portuguese Ilustration magazine, Portuguese Ilustration: llustrated and Artistic Magazine, 1909, From the collection of: The Conservatory of Music of Oporto
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Portrait of Joaquim de Freitas Gonçalves, Unknown, From the collection of: The Conservatory of Music of Oporto
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Joaquim de Freitas Gonçalves taught piano from 1917 at Porto Music Conservatory and was its director between 1934-1939 and 1940-1941. As a pianist he is considered one of Óscar da Silva’s most talented students.

The pianist Luiz Costa by UnknownThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Luiz Costa - Prelúdio op. 9 nº6 Piano Luiz Costa
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Luiz Costa, one of the most preeminent Portuguese pianists and composers of his time, taught piano from 1917 at Porto Music Conservatory and held the position of director between 1933 and 1934. He left an indelible mark on the training of a generation of Portuguese pianists such as Berta Alves de Souza, Hélia Soveral and Helena Sá e Costa.

Luiz Costa and students at Conservatory of Music of Porto (1951/1951) by UnknownThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Luiz Costa and students after a concert in the Hall of the Conservatory of Music of Oporto on July 19, 1951.

Luiz Costa - Embalando (1908/1908) by O Comércio do Porto IlustradoThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Luiz Costa is also one of the most representative composers of Portuguese Modernism, gathering multiple influences, from the poetry of Corrêa de Oliveira and Teixeira de Pascoaes, to the sculpture of Teixeira Lopes and also the rural environment of his native Minho.

"Embalando" Luiz Costa - Piano António Oliveira
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The pianist Pedro Blanco accompanied by his students (19?) by UnknownThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Pianist and teacher Pedro Blanco, was part of the group of founders of the Conservatory of Music of Porto. From 1903, after a long digression of one year, he settled in Oporto, where he developed an intense concert and teaching activity.

Pedro Blanco - Mazurka del Amor. Piano - Cristovão Luiz
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Pedro Blanco excelled as a composer, having an extremely extensive work (considering his premature death in 1919). It can be divided into two currents: post-romantic, close to the language of Chopin and nationalist based on Spanish folklore.

Portrait of the pianist José Cassagne (teacher fo Conservatory of Music of Porto), Photo Beleza, 1953, From the collection of: The Conservatory of Music of Oporto
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Musical Soirée - closing concert of the first school year of the Conservatory of Music of Porto, Conservatory of Music of Oporto, 1918, From the collection of: The Conservatory of Music of Oporto
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The closing concert of the first school year of the Conservatory of Music of Porto, took place on July 30, 1918 at the Gil Vicente Theater. This space, which belonged to the Crystal Palace was, over the years of its existence, the stage of numerous public presentations of students and professors of the Conservatory of Music of Porto

Page of pianist Berta Alves de Souza's memories album. by UnknownThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

The auditions of students of the Conservatory of Music of Porto, at that time denominated Exercises of Students, had great impact in the city, usually deserving references in the press, tradition that has remained until the present day. This 1918 newspaper clipping, prominence is given to " Miss Bertha de Souza" Luiz Costa student that from the 40's she joined the faculty of the Conservatory as a piano teacher and chamber music.

Portrait of the pianist Hernâni Torres (1935) by Domingos AlvãoThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Three years later the foundation, the integration of the pianist Hernâni Torres (1881 - 1939) into the teaching staff of the Conservatory confirmed the marked German influence. In 1908 he completed the piano course at the Leipzig Conservatory in the Teichmuller class. Years later he was officially invited and appointed professor of the Leipzig Conservatory and Thomaschule in the same city.

In 1921 he returned to Portugal to the Conservatory of Music of Porto, as piano teacher, and in 1924 he assumed the position of director, an activity that he held until 1933.

Artilce about pianist Hernâni Torres published by Diário Ilustrado in 1909. (1909) by Illustrated DiaryThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Newspaper clipping about pianist Hernani Torres, highlighting various prizes won during his studies at the Leipzig Conservatorium.

Teacher's group photo of Conservatory of Music of Porto around 1930 (1930-40?) by UnknownThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Teachers group at Conservatory of Music of Porto in the 30s 40s. From left to right: Cláudio Carneyro (composer), Luiz Costa (pianist), MªAdelaide Freitas Gonçalves (pianist), Joaquim Freitas Gonçalves (pianist), Clotilde Cunha (pianist) and José Cassgne (pianist).

Closing Concert of the Academic Year of 1935/36 of the Conservatory of Music of Porto, Comercio do Porto, 1936, From the collection of: The Conservatory of Music of Oporto
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The Tradition of the Piano in the Conservatory of Music of Porto (1940 - 1975) by Conservatory of Music of PortoThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Conservatory of Music of Oporto (1953/1953) by UnknownThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Group of teachers of the Conservatory of Music of Oporto in 1948. (1948) by UnknownThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

From the 40's the Conservatory of Music of Porto gained a new dynamism. In addition to the merited importance given to Maria Adelaide Freitas Gonçalves as a teacher, pianist and director of the Conservatory, it should be underlined that at this time important pianists, both nationally and internationally, were part of the teaching staff. These include Berta Alves de Souza, Hélia Soveral and Helena Sá e Costa. Many initiatives have been carried out involving invited teachers and pianists: the execution of integral works, the creation of thematic auditions especially addressed to the students ("Intimate Evenings" and "One Hour of Music") with comments on the program. It should be noted that Mª Adelaide Freitas Gonçalves founded the Cultural Circle in Oporto in 1937, which allowed her to promote in the Conservatory, recitals and other activities with international and national artists, who were part of the program of this concert society.All this dynamism continued in the following years, with the integration of the pianists from the 60s with a well-established career such as Manuela Araújo, Fernanda Wandschneirder or Fernando Jorge de Azevedo, and in the 1970s Maria Teresa Xavier, Isabel Rocha, Teresa Paiva, Arminda Odete Barosa, Isabel van Zeller among others.

Portrait of the pianist Maria Adelaide Freitas Gonçalves playing piano by UnknownThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

A pupil of Luiz Costa, Maria Adelaide Freitas Gonçalves was a piano teacher at Porto Music Conservatory between 1918 and 1922. In 1934 she resumed teaching at the Conservatory, and was its director between 1941 and 1955.

Program of the last concert of Guilhermina Suggia accompanied on piano by Maria Adelaide de Freitas Gonçalves, Unknown, 1950/1950, From the collection of: The Conservatory of Music of Oporto
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Guilhermina Suggia's last performance, accompanied by Mª Adelaide F. Gonçalves, is one of the examples of the partnership between these two great artists.

Maria Adelaide de Freitas Gonçalves with her disciples, Unknown, From the collection of: The Conservatory of Music of Oporto
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Maria Adelaide de Freitas Gonçalves with her disciples Marília Rocha and Fernando Correia de Oliveira

Program of the 4th concert of the 1948/1949 season of the Symphony Orchestra of the Music Conservatory of Porto, Unknown, 1949, From the collection of: The Conservatory of Music of Oporto
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One of Maria Adelaide Gonçalves’ greatest achievements was the foundation of Orquestra Sinfónica do Conservatório de Música do Porto in 1948.
In this concert, from the first season of 1948/49, the pianist Manuela Araújo, who later joined the faculty of the Conservatory of Music of Porto, presented herself as a soloist under the regency of Frederico de Feitas.

Performance Program “The Well-Tempered Clavier” J. S. Bach, by the pianist Helena Sá e Costa at Conservatory of Music of Porto commented by the composer Claúdio Carneyro. (1946) by Conservatory of Music of PortoThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Helena Sá e Costa - O Cravo Bem Temperado I - Prelúdio e Fuga nº 1 Dó maior
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The presentation of the complete work of "The Well Tempered Cravo" by JS Bach by the pianist Helena Sá e Costa, commented by the composer Claudio Carneyro, in 1946 at the Conservatory of Music of Porto Hall, was part of an a unique initiative carried out by Maria Adelaide Freitas Gonçalves, called "Series of Concerts".

Recital by Leopold Querol at Conservatory of Music of Porto, Conservatory of Music of Oporto, 1949/1949, From the collection of: The Conservatory of Music of Oporto
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In 1937 Maria Adelaide Freitas Gonçalves founded in Porto the Delegação do Círculo de Cultura Musical (Office of the Music Culture Circle) at the invitation of Elisa de Sousa Pedroso. This allowed her to organize recitals and other activities at the Conservatory with renowned artists who were included in the Music Culture Circle programmes.
Note the performance of Chopin’s entire opus by the Spanish pianist Leopold Querol at seven concerts at the Conservatory Hall.

The pianist Hélia Soveral by UnknownThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Hélia Soveral studied under Luiz Costa at Porto Music Conservatory. She later joined the Conservatory staff between 1947 and 1984.

At the Conservatory of Music of Porto, Hélia Soveral held several students hearings of Portuguese composers works premiere such as Cláudio Carneyro, Berta Alves de Souza, and Filipe Pires, in which she also participated. In this program, we highlight the first auditions of the Bagatelas (piano) by the composer Filipe Pires, Exotic Dance and Tocata Modal for two pianos by Berta Alves de Souza dedicated to the pianist.

Performance program "An Hour of Music" by pianist Hélia Soveral at Conservatory of Music of Porto, Conservatory of Music of Oporto, 1968/1968, From the collection of: The Conservatory of Music of Oporto
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In this program, note the first performances of the Bagatelas (piano) by the composer Filipe Pires, and Exotic Dance and Toccata Modal for two pianos by Berta Alves de Souza, dedicated to the pianist.

There is the participation of pianist Madalena Soveral, her daughter, who later joined the teaching staff and also Maria Teresa Rego whose pedagogical activity at the Conservatory lasted from 1972 to 1991.

Berta Alves de Souza and Guilhermina Suggia (1943) by UnknownThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Berta Alves de Souza had a lifelong relationship with the Conservatory of Music of Oporto. Luiz Costa piano student since the foundation, in parallel studied composition with Lucien Lambert and Claudio Carneiro. At the Conservatory of Music in Porto, she became a chamber music teacher in 1946 and a piano teacher in 1949, a position she held until 1977, contributing to the formation of a pleiade of pianists, who integrated the future generations of piano teachers of the Conservatory of Music of Porto.

In this photograph is with cellist Guilhermina Suggia who established a very close relationship, was one its accompanying pianists, next to Ernestina da Silva Monteiro and Maria Adelaide Freitas Gonçalves.

Berta Alves de Souza and Guilhermina Suggia, Unknown, 1946, From the collection of: The Conservatory of Music of Oporto
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Homage to Berta Alves de Souza (concert performer and piano teacher at Conservatory of Music of Porto), Conservatory of Music of Porto, 1969, From the collection of: The Conservatory of Music of Oporto
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Parallel to her activity as a pianist and teacher at the Conservatory, Berta Alves Souza dedicated herself to the composition. Several works were dedicated to the pianist Hélia Soveral who in turn played an important role in its dissemination. In the notes written on the concert reaffirmed in his honor Berta Alves de Souza writes the following: "This audition is dedicated to the pianists (...) with five pieces for piano solo, Three Preludes Grave, Fluente and Apassionato, this third dedicated to the illustrious interpreter that is my colleague D. Hélia Soveral Torres, to whom I owe great Stimulus for my piano compositions and brilliant public performances"

The pianist Helena Sá e Costa (1950) by Teófilo RegoThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

The pianist Helena M. de Sá e Costa (1913 -2006), taught piano at Porto Music Conservatory from 1949 to 1968. She was granddaughter of B. Moreira de Sá, and daughter of the pianists L. Moreira de Sá e Costa and Luiz Costa, began her studies first with her parents and then with Vianna da Motta.

She contacted several pianists, such as Emil von Sauer or Backhaus and from the age of 18 pursued studies in Paris with Alfred Cortot. Helena Sá e Costa made her debut at the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos at age 19, accompanied by an orchestra directed by Pedro Blanch.

Louis Backe, Helena Sá e Costa, Edwin Fischer and Reine Gianoli (1952) by UnknownThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

With Edwin Fischer, Helena Sá Costa played in several concerts in the main cities of Europe, playing the concerts of 2, 3 and 4 pianos by J. Bach.

This photograph marks the moment when Helena Sá e Costa performed the Concerto de Bach for 4 pianos Bwv 1065, alongside Louis Backe, Edwin Fischer and Reine Gianoli, with the Belgian National Orchestra at the Palais des Beaux Arts in Brussels

Performance program of thematic hearing "Intimate Evenings" at Conservatory of Music of Porto, Conservatory of Music of Oporto, 1950/1950, From the collection of: The Conservatory of Music of Oporto
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The musical sessions "Intimate Evenings” were instituted by Mª Adelaide Freitas Gonçalves in the academic year 1946/47. Were the first commented thematic hearings held regularly at the Conservatory, a tradition that still remains today.
In this program, the class of the teacher Helena Sá e Costa organizes a musical session dedicated to French music, in which the teacher herself participates interpreting two works of Debussy ("Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum and Golliwog's Cakewalke)

Helena Sá e Costa and students at Conservatory of Music of Porto (1968) by UnknownThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Helena Sá e Costa students at Conservatory of Music of Porto: from left to right: Fernando Jorge de Azevedo, Mª Teresa Xavier, Helena Sá e Costa, Glória Moreira

Fernando Jorge de Azevedo was a disciple of Helena Sá e Costa. Throughout his career he has given special attention to chamber music, having performed in this specialty in the main centers of Portugal and abroad. Between 1960 and 1988 he was professor of the Conservatory of Music of Porto

Portrait of the pianist Fernanda Wandschneider by UnknownThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

The pianist Fernanda Wanddschneider developed a long career as a teacher at the Conservatory of Music in Porto from 1965 to 1994, becoming the position of President of the Director Council in the last 5 years. Disciple of Ernestina Silva Monteiro and Berta Alves de Souza, gave numerous recitals in Portugal, Spain, France, Austria and Germany.
She was the founder of the International Music Competition of the City of Porto, and throughout her 26 editions was an obligatory point of passage in the European circuit of piano competitions.

The pianist Manuela Araújo with the Symphony Orchestra of the Conservatory of Music of Porto under the direction of maestro Pedro de Freitas Branco at Cinema Trindade (Porto) (1960/1960) by UnknownThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Manuela Araújo already had a consolidated concert career, when in 1965 she joined the teaching staff of the Conservatory of Music of Porto as a piano teacher, a position she held until 1995.

A disciple of Vianna da Mota at the National Conservatory (and particularly until her death), studied with Marie Levêque de Freitas Branco and later, with Géza Anda, at the Conservatory of Lucerne.

In this photograph, Manuela Araújo greets the conductor Pedro de Freitas Branco after a concert organized by the Portuguese Musical Youth at the Cinema Trindade in Porto, where he performed the 3rd Concerto for Piano by L. Beethoven accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra of the Oporto Conservatory of Music in 1960

The pianist Manuela Araújo - "Vianna da Motta Prize"1945 (1945) by Silva NogueiraThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

M. Ravel Concerto para piano e orquestra em Sol M (3º and.). Manuela Araújo (piano), Orquestra da Emissora Nacional dirigida por Piero Bellugi
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This photograph represents the image of the cover of the Century Illustrated and marks the moment when Manuela Araújo won the "Vainna da Mota Prize" promoted by the National Broadcaster in 1945.

She regularly performed solo, chamber music, and Orchestra under the direction of Pedro de Freitas Branco, Frederico de Freitas, Silva Pereira, Álvaro Cassuto, Günther Arglebe, José Atalaya and Piero Bellugi.

It is noteworthy, in 1968, the recording of Piano Concerto in G of M. Ravel with the National Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of conductor Piero Bellugi.

Manuela Araújo with one of her students (Maria Luísa Lima Barreto Alves de Sousa) at Conservatory of Music of Porto, Unknown, 1961, From the collection of: The Conservatory of Music of Oporto
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The pianist Manuela Araújo and her students after a class audition at the Conservatório de Música do Porto, Unknown, 1961, From the collection of: The Conservatory of Music of Oporto
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Performance program of Symphony Orchestra of Conservatory of Music of Porto in 1965, Unknown, 1965, From the collection of: The Conservatory of Music of Oporto
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The Symphony Orchestra Conservatory of Music of Porto played an important role in disseminating music as well as provided an opportunity to many conservatory teachers to perform several times as soloists. In this series of concerts offered by the Câmara do Porto, the pianists and teachers Hélia Soveral, Manuela Araújo and Fernando Jorge de Azevedo presented the 1st, 2nd and 3rd concerts for piano of Beethoven. The complete work would be complete with the interpretation of Fernanda Wandschneider, of the remaining 2 in the last concert of this series.

Maria Teresa Xavier and João de Freitas Branco (1957/1957) by UnknownThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Maria Teresa Xavier, a pupil of Helena Costa, from whose class she graduated with distinction, taught at Conservatory of Musica of Porto from 1968 -1989.

She played at concerts for the Secretariat of State for Culture, Pró-Arte, Rádio Clube Português (Portuguese Radio Club), Radiodifusão e Radiotelevisão Portuguesas (Portuguese Radio and Television Broadcasting), and in many foreign countries. She also played chamber music and in that capacity performed with several national and foreign artists.

In this photo João de Freitas Branco hands over the prize of the 4th contest of the "Juventude Musical Portuguesa" to Maria Teresa Xavier in 1957

Portrait of pianist Teresa Xavier at age of 3 at the Conservatory of Music of Porto — daughter of the pianist and teacher Maria Teresa Xavier. by José RuizThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Teresa Xavier, current coordinator of the Keyboard Curricular Department, at 3-year-old playing the piano at the Conservatory of Music of Porto, brought by her Mother (Mª Teresa Xavier) and in this context says the following:

"I must have been about three or four and I remember that I liked to sit on the floor, right underneath the piano whilst my Mother practised. It was a way of staying close to her, as if I were in a sort of musical womb, immersed in the resonances of the appassionata, Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto Nº 1 or Falla’s Ritual Fire Dance… (...)"

I remember the many students my mother taught, (...) Or even the innumerable solo recitals or chamber music recitals in which she played. Or the concerts with the symphony orchestra (...) Even the prizes she won…
But I would rather remember her like this – with her generous, exuberant smile – always ready to support her students and her piano, violin, cello, singing colleagues… each one knew he or she could rely on her and on the immense passion she showed in her devotion to music.
In memory of the pianist and teacher Maria Teresa Xavier, my Mother.

In memory of all the piano teachers at Porto Music Conservatory.” April, 2017 Teresa Xavier

Maria Teresa Xavier's recital still as a student of the Conservatory of Music of Oporto by UnknownThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

“At that time entering the conservatory was like entering a temple; (...) I never forget the day Dona Helena [Costa] sent for me to tell me that I had been chosen to be her student; (...) what a privilege my having been your disciple and friend throughout life" (…)” Maria Teresa Xavier

Teresa Paiva's first piano recital at the Oporto Conservatory of Music at age 8 (1953) by UnknownThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

At the age of 8, Teresa Paiva performed for the first time in a recital at the Conservatory of Oporto in 1953. She was a disciple of her mother, Gilberta Paiva, Maria Adelaide Freitas Gonçalves and Jorge Croner de Vasconcelos, and she completed the Superior Piano Course at the National Conservatory With 19 values.In 1967 she pursued studies at the Cologne School of Music.

In 1971, she was named teacher of the general and superior piano courses at the Oporto Conservatory of Music, a position she held until 2001.

On this day, Maria Adelaide Freitas Gonçalves gave her the following words:
To Maria Teresa for the appreciation in which I have her unusual qualities as a pianist offers on the day of her first Recital - with the hope that she will continue in a very glorious career Maria Adelaide Diogo de Freitas Gonçalves

Newspaper article on the concert of the pianist Teresa Paiva with the Chamber Orchestra of St. Maria in 1959 (1959) by UnknownThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

In Portugal, Teresa Paiva gave numerous recitals, in Pró-Arte, Juventude Musical Portuguesa and others. She was awarded the prizes of the National Conservatory, Botelho Leitão, Rey Colaço and Pró-Arte.

The pianist Isabel Rocha (1987/1987) by Almeida StudioThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Isabel Rocha had a long connection with Porto Music Conservatory. She studied under her mother Marília Rocha and also Maria Adelaide de Freitas Gonçalves and Helena Sá e Costa. She graduated from Porto Music Conservatory which she then joined as a piano teacher from 1971 to 2010.

She also was a member of the board from 1998 until she retired (2010).

The pianist Isabel Rocha and the conductor Silva Pereira (1967/1967) by UnknownThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Isabel Rocha developed an intense solo career performing in concert in Portugal and abroad. She was soloist with Orchestra directed by the maestros Costa Santos, Silva Pereira, Edouard von Remoortel, Gunther Arglebe, Ferreira Lobo, Roberto Tibiriçá, Emmanuel Koch and Camargo Guarnieri.

Choral Fantasy of Ludwig van Beethoven at Conservatory of Music of Porto (1971/1971) by Conservatory of Music of OportoThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

In 1971 the school’s closing exercise for the 2nd term ended with the performance of Beethoven’ Choral Fantasy, by the students of Porto Music Conservatory, among them the pianist Jaime Mota who, five years later, would join the conservatory’s staff.

L. Beethoven Fantasia Coral (excerto) — piano Jaime Mota
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“In 1969 I entered Porto Music Conservatory as a student of the senior course. I plunged unequivocally into music, acquiring knowledge, connections and valuable opportunities which today – 50 years after my first piano recital – I find were deeply important to my condition as teacher and musician."

The Tradition of the Piano in the Conservatory of Music of Porto (1975 - 2017) by Conservatory of Music of PortoThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Group of teachers of the Conservatory of Music of Oporto in 1986 (1986) by Conservatory of Music of PortoThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Times of Change

On 13 March 1975, in the aftermath of the 25 April Revolution, and as a revolutionary act, a group of teachers from Porto Music Conservatory decided to occupy Pinto Leite House, at the time owned by Porto Municipality, their aim being to ensure better conditions for Porto Music Conservatory. “We played concerts nonstop, took turns to ensure that employees, teachers and students were always in the building to guarantee possession” (Isabel Rocha). Teresa Xavier recalls “the vibrant times when Pinto Leite House was occupied. (…) This change culminated in a memorable concert by candlelight for the electricity was turned off…” The move to the new premises did not cut short the dynamic enthusiasm of the previous decades. Former students like Jaime Mota, Maria José Souza Guedes, Fausto Neves, Teresa Xavier, Fátima Travanca, Manuela Costa, Eduardo Resende, Isabel Couto Soares among others, returned to the Conservatory as teachers. The group of piano teachers was also complemented by pianists of foreign nationality as Anne Marie Menet (Switzerland), Vitali Dotsenko (Russia) or Constantin Sandu (Romania). It highlights the continuing concert series, among which are the Thursday Cultural Series, the celebration of the "Year Mussorgsky" in 1989 as well as the partnerships with various cultural institutions of the city, aiming to launch the best students and give the teachers an opportunity to perform in public whilst enriching the city’s cultural program.

The pianist Maria José Souza Guedes (teacher at Conservatory of Music of Porto) (1988/1988) by UnknownThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

F. Lapa “Variações sobre o Coro da Primavera”, Piano — Maria José Souza Guedes
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Maria José Souza Guedes has been a piano teacher at Porto Music Conservatory since 1982. Has performed at many concerts in Portugal and abroad, playing solo, with orchestra and chamber music at important concert halls. She has premiered several piano works of composer Fernando Lapa.

In this recording she interprets the “Variações sobre o Coro da Primavera“, an emblematic work of José Afonso, recreated by the composer Fernando Lapa in 2000 which is dedicated to her.

Maria José Souza Guedes and students, Unknown, 2014/2014, From the collection of: The Conservatory of Music of Oporto
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Mª José Souza Guedes, has trained many young pianists, whose merit has been recognised in national and international competitions.
In this photo: Hugo Peres, Mateus Barros, Nuno Ventura, winners of the International Competition of Almada 2014

"Year Mussorgsky", Conservatory of Music of Porto, 1989, From the collection of: The Conservatory of Music of Oporto
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Program for the celebration of the "Mussorgsky Year", organized by the pianist and teacher Manuela Araújo, National Conservatory and Student Association of the Conservatory of Music of Porto. Several activities were contemplated, including the inauguration of an exhibition of photographs by Mussorsky from the Portugal - USSR Association, recreation of the exhibition of the works of Vitor Hartman that at the time gave rise to the composition of the work "Quadros de Uma Exposição" by the painters José Rodrigues, Armando Alves, Zulmiro de Carvalho, Angelo de Sousa, Fernando Marques de Oliveira, Ana Marchand, Gerardo Burmester, Albuquerque Mendes and Ruth Rosengarten, the presentation of the work by the pianist Maria José Souza guedes and a Concert Non Stop of teachers and students of the Conservatório de Música do Porto.

The pianist Fausto Neves by UnknownThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Disciple of Helena Sá e Costa and later of Robert Weizs (Laval University), and Harry Datyner (Conservatoire de Geneve), Fausto Neves was professor of piano of the Conservatory of Music of Porto from 1984 to 1989.

Whilst I evoke my teaching activity at the Conservatory (1984 - 1989) with great fondness, this feeling is intensified in the year of the Centenary! In addition to the teachers of my generation – to whom I am still linked by deep ties of friendship (...) Unforgettable students of mine include: Amélia Paula Pinto, Antónia Castro, António Pinho Vargas, Céu Camposinhos, Eduardo Resende, Francisco Albuquerque, Francisco Fiúza, Inês Soares, Manuela Costa, Sofia Lourenço, to name just a few. Fausto Neves

Two pianos, concert at Conservatory of Music of Porto: Manuela Araújo, Constantin Sandu, Eduardo Resende and Arminda Odete Barosa (1993) by Conservatory of Music of PortoThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

It is already a tradition among piano teachers to explore various repertoire formations for one and two pianos with 4, 6 or 8 hands, in concert at the Conservatory. This practice gave rise to the current annual concert "Mãos Unidas". In this photograph, from left to right the pianists Constantin Sandu, Manuela Araújo, Arminda Odete Barosa and Eduardo Resende interpreted the Sonata for 2 pianos with 8 hands of Smetana.

The pianist Eduardo Resende (teacher at Conservatory of Music of Porto) (2017) by UnknownThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Since 1991 Eduardo Resende has taught piano at Porto Music Conservatory and was Coordinator of the Keyboard Curricular Department. He has been a major promoter of various piano-related activities at the Conservatory, such as the creation of the Piano Competition in 1994, the annual concert of piano teachers "Mãos Unidas" among others.

Piano Class of Professor Eduardo Resende (2015/2015)The Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Over the years Eduardo Resende merit as a teacher has been acknowledged with the many prizes won by his students in various piano competitions. He is regularly invited to teach piano technique and interpretation at several Portuguese schools.

The pianist Teresa Xavier (teacher at Conservatory of Music of Porto) by Conservatory of Music of OportoThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Teresa Xavier has taught piano at Porto Music Conservatory since 1990. She is currently Coordinator of the Keyboard Curricular Department at Porto Music Conservatory.

Teresa Xavier and students at Conservatory of Music of Porto (2017) by Maria José PassosThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Teresa Xavier, trained many students who completed the Complementary Piano Course in their category and pursued studies at higher level.

Flyer of the Seminar "Musical Bridges" held at the Conservatory of Music of Porto, Conservatory of Music of Porto, 2012, From the collection of: The Conservatory of Music of Oporto
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Teresa Xavier, has been the driving force behind many activities, including the “Pontes Musicais“, which aims to promote a wide-ranging sharing of knowledge and experiences on Specialized Artistic Education.

The pianist Manuela Costa (teacher at Conservatory of Music of Porto) (2017) by Maria José PassosThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Manuela Costa has established herself as a dedicated pedagogue, and was engaged as Piano teacher at the Oporto Music Conservatory in 1991.
Her particular enthusiasm and endeavour in coaching young players all along their musical studies led her to write a two volume essay, on a right approach of the basic fundaments of piano playing, (AVA Editions), and to develop a game as an educational platform with the aid of ActivInspire program, dedicated to all beginner students.

Two pianos concert: Constantin Sandu and Fernanda Wandschneider (1997) by UnknownThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

The pianists Fernanda Wandschneider and Constantin Sandu at the opening concert of the XIV edition of the International Music Competition of the City of Porto, in 1997 at the Dr. António Cupertino de Miranda Foundation.

Pianist Constantin Sandu has lived in Portugal since 1991 and joined the teaching staff of the Conservatory of Music of Porto from 1992 to 2000. He studied with Sonia Ratescu, Constantin Nitu, later with the renowned pianist and professor Constantin Ionescu-Vovu at the Conservatorio Superior de Music "C. Porumbescu". He is currently a piano teacher at Escola Superior de Música e Artes do Espetáculo do Porto, where he is currently Director of the Piano Department.

The pianist Jorge Montenegro (teacher at Conservatory of Music of Porto) (2017) by Maria José PassosThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

F. Chopin Estudo op. 25 nº 12 - Piano, Jorge Montenegro
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Jorge Montenegro as a Professor of Piano and Piano as a Second Instrument at Conservatory of Music of Porto, presented the Ray Gottlieb method “ Attention & Memory Training, Stresspoint Learning on The Trampoline”.

He gave many concerts in Portugal, France and in the United States and as a soloist with Portuguese orchestras.

The pianist Rosgard Lingardson (teacher at Conservatory of Music of Porto) (2014/2014) by UnknownThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Rosgard Lingardsson presently teaches Piano and Chamber Music at the Conservatório de Música do Porto since 2000. Her dedication and knowledge has inspired many of her students whose effort and passion have been recognised with many awards.

Concert poster of students of Prof. Rosgard Lingardsson at Conservatory of Music of Porto (2017/2017) by Conservatory of Music of PortoThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

In the context of the celebrations of the Centennial of the CMP, and also to mark Rosgard Lingardsson's almost 20 years of teaching, the "Tempo" concert brought together alumni, now with their own pianistic careers and current students (from the smallest to the finalists ).
The title of this concert - "A Tempo" - came from the musical language itself. In time, that is, at the right time. Rosgard Lingardsson tells us that "just as in music, there are, in life, allegro, ritardandos, appassionatos and sforzandos, and then there are those perfect moments in which everything seems to be in the right time.
More than an evocation of the past, today we celebrate the present and dream of the future. We have among us, today, people who came from the past, people who rejoice the present and people who promise the future. Three different times, but in time, because they all came together at the right time. "

The pianist António Oliveira (teacher at Conservatory of Music of Porto) (2011/2011) by José CaldeiraThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

António Oliveira has been piano teacher at the Conservatório de Música do Porto since 2002. He is an active recitalist, both solo and chamber music, having played in many concert halls in Portugal and abroad.

Recital by António Oliveira, Unknown, 2016, From the collection of: The Conservatory of Music of Oporto
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António Oliveira released his first piano solo CD entitled Chopin & Liszt in July 2016. Being acclaimed by the critics, he presented the work at the most important concert halls in Portugal such as Casa da Música and Centro Cultural de Belém.

The pianist Joana Neto and students at Conservatory of Music of Porto (2017) by UnknownThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Joana Neto was a student at the Music Conservatory of Porto where she studied with Helena Santos Silva and Constantin Sandu. Since 2009 she is a piano teacher at Conservatory of Musica of Porto.

The Knew Generation of Conservatory of Music of Porto piano teachers (2017) by Maria José PassosThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

From the year 2008 new challenges were placed. The Conservatory of Music of Porto changed again from installations to the West area of Rodrigues de Freitas Secondary School, an emblematic building of the Porto architecture designed by the architect Marques da Silva in 1919. Not only the progressive increase of teachers and piano students, as well as the introduction of the integrated teaching system, which combines general studies with musical learning, has led to the consolidation of a series of activities promoted by the Keyboard Department: an annual master class with invited pianists, concerts commented by students and teachers, workshops, annual concert of piano teachers "Mãos Unidas" and Internal Competition.

Silvia Lopes, Ana Cancela, Dina Resende, Luisa Ferreira, Sílvia Lopes, Sónia Amaral and Ligia Madeira, are the piano teachers who have most recently joined the faculty of the Conservatory.

"Schubert" Concert Poster, Conservatory of Music of Porto, 2017, From the collection of: The Conservatory of Music of Oporto
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Continuing with an old tradition, Maria José Souza Guedes (pianist) and Fernando Lapa (composer) have organized an annual interdisciplinary concert since 2010 at the Conservatory of Music of Porto. With comments by Fernando Lapa and the interpretation of Maria José Souza Guedes, each of these concerts went through consecrated composers and musical works in the History of Music: R. Schumann, L. Beethoven, Moussorgsky, César Franck, and Schubert.

Concert "Mãos Unidas", Unknown, 2012, From the collection of: The Conservatory of Music of Oporto
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First edition of the anual concert "Mãos Unidas" in 2012. In this photograph the pianists António Oliveira, Isabel Ramos, Sónia Amaral and Ana Cancela interpreted "Galop March" for 1 piano with 8 hands of Albert Lavignac.

Concert of the laureates with "Orquestra do Norte" of the Internal Competition of the Conservatory of Music of Porto. (2012/2012) by Conservatory of Music of PortoThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

The Piano Competition of the Conservatory of Music of Porto had its first edition in 1994. In that year, the pianist Luísa Tender was awarded the 1st prize and Cristina Henriques with the 3rd prize and did not receive the 2nd prize.

The Internal Competition of the Oporto Conservatory of Music has been gaining notoriety in such a way that since 2011, it has established a partnership with the Orquestra do Norte, in which, in the Concert of Laureates of the winners of the 1st Level A Prize of its Competition Intern, the Distinguishing Prize - Orquestra do Norte, which consists of a solo concert with this Orchestra.

In this photo: Marta Patrocínio, 1st Prize Level A (2012)

"Piano Porto 2015" - First 24-hour piano marathon in Portugal (2015) by Conservatory of Music of PortoThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

With Jorge Colaço's tile panel as background, some of the youngest pianists at the Oporto Conservatory of Music performed in the entrance hall of the S. Bento Station in Oporto, one of the places where the first 24-hour Piano marathon - Piano Porto 2015, took place. In this photograph, Lara Redentor, a student of the Conservatory in the class of Prof. Joana Neto, played Burgmüller and Frederico de Freitas.

Master Class of Madalena Soveral at Conservatory of Music of Porto, Unknown, 2013, From the collection of: The Conservatory of Music of Oporto
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Madalena Soveral was one of the pianists invited to direct the masterclass of piano that every year is organized in the Conservatory of Music of Porto

Sofia Lourenço Master Class at Conservatory of Music of Porto, Sílvia Lopes, 2017, From the collection of: The Conservatory of Music of Oporto
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Master Class at the Oporto Music Conservatory with pianist Sofia Lourenço

Family Day Concert at Conservatory of Music of Porto (2017) by Ana CancelaThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Annual concert of the youngest pianists of the Conservatory of Music of Porto aged between 6 and 9 years), integrated in the Family International Day promoted by prof. Emília Gonçalves.

Timeline: the piano teachers of the Conservatory of Music of Porto from 1917 to 2017 (2017) by Ana CancelaThe Conservatory of Music of Oporto

Credits: Story

Curatorship: Ana Cancela
Scientific Commission: Ana Cancela, Dina Resende

Support: Conservatório de Música do Porto | Departamento de Teclas | Grupo Disciplinar de Piano, Museu Nacional da Música, Direção-Geral do Património Cultural / DGPC, Fundação Juan Marz, Arquivo Moreira de Sá e Costa

Acknowledgments:
Conservatório de Música do Porto, Prof.ª Bibliotecária Paula Andrade Biblioteca Escolar | Conservatório de Música do Porto, Arquivo Moreira de Sá e Costa (Prof. Dr. Henrique Gomes de Araújo, Prof.ª Dr.ª Helena Gomes de Araújo) , Fundação Juan Marz, Museu Nacional da Música, Direção-Geral do Património Cultural / DGPC (Dra. Tânia Olim), Eng. Helder Macedo Sampaio, Dr. Luis Cabral, Profª Isabel Rocha, Prof.ª Isabel van Zeller, Prof. Dr. Rui Pedro Pereira, Prof.ª Drª Madalena Soveral, Prof. Dr. Fausto Neves, Prof.ª Fernanda Wandchneider, Prof. Constantin Sandu, Prof. Jaime Mota, Profª Fernanda Wandschneider, Prof.ª Teresa Paiva, Prof.ª Luisa Tender, Prof.ª Cristina Henriques, Dra. Ofélia Diogo Costa, Dr. Carlos Araújo Alves, Professores de Piano do CMP (Prof.ª Teresa Xavier, Prof.ª Maria José Souza Guedes, Prof. António Oliveira, Prof. Eduardo Resende, Prof.ª Ligia Madeira, Prof. Sílvia Lopes, Prof. Jorge Montenegro, Prof.ª Sónia Amaral, Prof.ª Emília Gonçalves, Prof.ª Manuela Costa, Prof.ª Rosgard Lingardson)

Video Editing: Igor Sterpin
Graphic Design: Arq. Julieta Cunha (Timeline - CMP Piano Teachers)
Fotografia: Maria José Passos ("Teresa Xavier and Students", "The Pianist Manuela Costa", "The Pianist Jorge Montenegro" "Bechstein Piano"

Translation: Carlos Freitas, Alexandra Leitão, Ana Cancela

Bibliography:
AMORIM, Eugénio (1941), Dicionário Biográfico de Músicos, Porto, Marânus.
BORBA, Tomás e LOPES-GRAÇA, Fernando (1956 e 1958), Dicionário da Música (ilustrado), 2 volumes, Lisboa, Edições Cosmos.
COSTA, Helena Sá (2001), Uma vida em concerto, Porto 2001 e Campo das Letras.
CABRAL, Luís (2007) Uma geração notável: os fundadores do Conservatório de Música do Porto.
GONÇALVES, Joaquim de Freitas (1944 e 1945), Crónicas Musicais, 2 vols.,Porto, Ed. Lopes da Silva.
MOREIRA DE SÁ, Bernardo Valentim (1917), Conservatório de Música do Porto –Algumas palavras proferidas pelo seu director, Bernardo Valentim Moreira de Sá, na sessão inaugural de 9 de Dezembro de 1917, Porto, Casa Moreira de Sá Editora.
LIBERAL, A. M., PEREIRA, R., & ANDRADE, S. C. (2010). Casas da Música no Porto (3 Vol.). Porto: Fundação Casa da Música.
OLIVEIRA ALMEIDA, Ana Cristina de (2008) Memórias no Feminino. O Circulo de Cultura Musical do Porto (1937 - 2007), Tese de Mestrado. Universidade de Aveiro.
TORRES, J. Romano (1909) Portugal; Diccionario Historico, Chorographico, Heraldico, Biographico, Bibliographico, Numismatico e Artistico, Volume IV

All rights belong to the Conservatório de Música do Porto, unless otherwise stated.

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