This record, entirely dedicated to traditional Portuguese Catholic music, comprises a selection of devotional songs that begin with the praise of life with the adoration of Mary and Jesus and end up in the desperate supplication for the salvation of souls in purgatory or in the repertoire of Lent.

 

In the religious musical tradition, practically the entire repertoire is sung. If we think that religion unites or united different communities for hundreds of years, it is natural that there is a vast polyphonic repertoire, even if performed outside the celebrations. At the same time, as a reflection of spirituality and the individual need to appease the soul and keep the will to live alive, there is also a vast solo repertoire, consisting of prayers, supplications and songs of praise.

 

“On the Mount of Olives” is thus a representation of the devotional music practiced by the people and inspired by the little they understood of the scriptures of the Bible. In its simplicity, this music reflects the anguish, fears and uncertainties of a people who understand their insignificance and who live in a limbo between right and wrong, between beauty and horror, between life and death, between Heaven and Hell.

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Antony Fernandes | Harmonica Transmontana, Säckpipa, Voice and Percussion

Carmina Repas Gonçalves | Viola da Gamba and Voice

Carolina Repas Gonçalves | Soprano

Eva Braga Simões | Soprano

Maria Repas Gonçalves | Contralto

Cristina Repas Gonçalves | Contralto

Gabriela Braga Simões | Contralto

Pedro Silva Marques | Tenor

Nuno Mendes | Low

Pedro Silva | Low

Hugo Sanches | Theorbo and Baroque Guitar

Tiago Manuel Soares | Percussion

Xurxo Varela | Gamba violas

Artistic Direction | Cardo-Roxo

 

Arrangements | Cardo-Roxo, Carmina Repas Gonçalves, Carlos Garcia, Filipe Raposo and Pedro Santos

Production | Projecto Cardo

Capture, mixing and mastering – Daniel Santos and Ricardo Torres

Graphic design – Abel Andrade

Photography – João Grisantes

Text Review – Lídia Bom

Support - GDA Foundation and Antena 2

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Buy disc -On the Mount of Olives