{"id":111638,"date":"2025-02-10T15:40:17","date_gmt":"2025-02-10T20:40:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=111638"},"modified":"2025-02-11T11:55:54","modified_gmt":"2025-02-11T16:55:54","slug":"preview-portugal-starvox-entertainment-present-celebracao-discover-sounds-portugal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2025\/02\/10\/preview-portugal-starvox-entertainment-present-celebracao-discover-sounds-portugal\/","title":{"rendered":"PREVIEW | Why Portugal & Starvox Entertainment Present Celebra\u00e7\u00e3o: Discover The Sounds of Portugal"},"content":{"rendered":"
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L-R (clockwise) Vocalist Joana Alegre (Photo: Ana Rocha Nen\u00e9); Jo\u00e3o Morais (Photo: Ana Carvalho); Omiri (Photo courtesy of the artist)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Celebra\u00e7\u00e3o: Discover The Sounds of Portugal showcases the work of 10 diverse acts from the pop, folk, crossover and indie music worlds. The goal is to offer a true cross section of the Portuguese soundscape, from Fado to rock and innovative new music.<\/p>\n

Lighthouse ArtSpace Toronto is the venue for the immersive concert series, supported by Small World Music, that takes place from February 14 to 26. Along with music, it also includes the Canadian premiere of a documentary film.<\/p>\n

We caught up with guitarist and composer Jo\u00e3o Diogo Leit\u00e3o to talk about his work, which takes the traditions of the Portuguese instrument called the viola braguesa, combined with classical music idioms, to create his unique sound.<\/p>\n

\"Musician
Musician and composer Jo\u00e3o Diogo Leit\u00e3o (Photo:\u00a0F\u00e1bio Barros)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Jo\u00e3o Diogo Leit\u00e3o: The Interview<\/h3>\n

The viola braguesa is a stringed instrument that comes from the Braga region in the northwest of Portugal. It has 10 strings \u2014 five pairs \u2014 made of steel. The string pairs are tuned to the same note, or an octave apart.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don’t have much evidence, but we suspect that it (comes from) the baroque guitar,\u201d says Jo\u00e3o Leit\u00e3o. \u201cIt survived in a more folk music context,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s mostly likely dervied from one of several porto-guitars that existed during the baroque era (roughly 1600 to 1750). \u201cThere’s a really big family of similar traditional acoustic guitars like this spread all over the coutnry,\u201d he adds. They all come from the same root, as he points out.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe main difference is the string material,\u201d he says. With its steel strings, the viola braguesa has a brighter, lighter timbre than most contemporary acoustic guitars.<\/p>\n

Doubling the strings creates unique harmonics, and requires a very specific technique. \u201cIt makes it very particular.\u201d As he explains it, multiple strings can vibrate at the same time, creating a kind of cluster of notes within the range of a scale. Size is another difference.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey are usually smaller than a classical or acoustic guitar.\u201d<\/p>\n

The instrument is built with relatively flat design requiring different playing techniques. \u201cA bit like flamenco,\u201d he explains. With the strings close to the guitar body, it allows for percussive effects. \u201cThis combination of characteristics makes it different.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jo\u00e3o began by studying classical guitar. \u201cI was deep inside this niche of classical music for a long time,\u201d he says. Several years ago, he decided to take a break from pursuing music and the classical guitar to travel.<\/p>\n

\u201cI already knew about these traditional guitars, but I’d never played one before.\u201d<\/p>\n

He found a shop in his travels that sold many different types of traditional Portuguese guitars, and bought a viola braguesa on impulse with the intention of busking in the streets. \u201cI don’t know exactly why,\u201d he recalls. \u201cI think it was the visuals, the look of it, but I chose the braguesa guitar.\u201d<\/p>\n

He had no intentions originally of delving into it seriously. That changed, though, the more he played it. The one problem was the lack of anything other than traditional folk music as repertoire.<\/p>\n

\u201cI decided to create my own music, because there is no repertoire.\u201d<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t only the music, he found himself adapting his technique, and bringing the instrument into a completely different context than its usually heard. \u201cThat\u2019s what I\u2019ve been doing for the last few years,\u201d he says. \u201cWhat places can I take this instrument?\u201d<\/p>\n

For the Toronto show, he\u2019ll be performing music from Por onde fica a primaver, his album for the solo viola braguesa, along with a few surprises. \u201cI think I will be adding some recent music,\u201d he says. Some of that includes an homage to other Portuguese musicians like the late guitar virtuoso Carlos Paredes.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis year, we are celebrating one century of his birth,\u201d he says. \u201cIt’s like a big inspiration for me.\u201d<\/p>\n