Oscar Lorenzo Fernandez

The son of Spanish parents, as a boy Oscar Lorenzo Fernandez (1897-1948) began to play in local dance parties in Rio de Janeiro; and later, at the age of eighteen he composed his first opera, Rainha Moura.

In 1917, he entered the National Institute of Music, where he studied with professors Francisco Braga, Henrique Oswald and Frederico Nascimento. In 1923, on the occasion of the latter’s illness, he took over as the substitute chair of harmony, a post that became permanent two years later.

Fernandez’s oeuvre can be divided into three periods. The first, from about 1918 to 1922, reveals the influence of French impressionism, bitonality and the absence of any identifiably Brazilian element. His second and most significant period lasted until 1938, and includes works that are strongly nationalistic, particularly in their use of folkloric themes. One of his most well-known works, the movement “Batuque” from his 1930 suite, Reisado do Pastoreio, dates from this period. During his final period, Fernandez’s outlook became more nationalistic. In addition to two symphonies, he composed his first string quartet (begun in 1927) and then a second.

Fernandez died in his home during the early hours of August 27, 1948, after having conducted a concert of his symphonic works just the evening before at the National Institute of Music.

Maestro Fernandez’s Compositions