In the halcyon days of salad summer picnics taken in meadows delicious with the scent of wild plants and hay, music was often provided by a wind-up gramophone. The very limited selection of shiny black discs would include the latest “light music” from current theatricals and band stands as well as favourites from Gilbert and Sullivan and other operettas.

In today´s digital age, musical entertainment has been heavily globalised so that travellers on boats and planes and trains have an ever-present choice that may be taken to new lands. there to satisfy any saudades for home.

Portuguese people are particularly favoured by having a vast compendium of musical heritage. They should be interested to know that the eminent recording label Naxos will be releasing on 4th August in MP3 formats a collection titled Portuguese Classical Masterpieces (Obras-Primas da Música). In a playing time of two hours and thirty minutes, this encapsulates 29 extracts from traditional sources performed by expert musicians and fine orchestras.


If you would like to broaden your knowledge and enjoyment of Portuguese classical music, Naxos offer three other recordings to extend your library:

From Baroque to Fado Recorded at the Gulbenkian Foundation in year 2017, this is a sparkling performance by Os Musicos do Tejo who never fail to give great pleasure. Soprano Ana Quintans and Fadista Ricardo Ribeiro, supported by experienced instrumentalists, guide us through a musical portrait composed of nine pieces which draw upon Lusitanian, Arabic and Galician origins

Raizes – Portuguese Chamber Music A contemporary spectrum of nine new works by Azevedo, Lapa, Marques and Carrapatoso which have their roots in folk-lore and Portuguese legends. The Matosinhos String Quartet give a rendering which is light of heart and relaxed. Ideal listening after a busy day.


Bows Up Music of the 20th century written for the strings of Camarata Atlantica. Sergio Azevedo´s Sinfonietta in memory of Béla Bartok is followed by the Joly Braga Santos Concerto in D minor – based on Alentejo folk tales and very reminiscent of Walton and Vaughan Wiliams

If you wish to delve more deeply into the “golden age” of the baroque, I recommend that you give a little space in your audio files to:

Masterpieces of the Portuguese Polyphony Volumes 1 & 2 on the Hyperion label dating from November 2024 with “sweet singing in the choir” from the William Byrd and Westminster Cathedral groups for works by Magalhâes, Cardoso, Rebelo, Cristo and Lôbo with a particularly interesting recital for the latter´s Missa Pro Defunctis a 8 Requiem recorded at All Hallows Church, Gospel Oak, London in June 1986

Lusitano Impero presents to us hidden gems dating from before the earthquake of 1755. Ana Quintans and Hugo Oliveira are the vocalists with a refined performance by Real Camara on the new Passacaille – Independent Labels of Europe. For me, this is the best of the bunch and one of the top recordings in my frequent listening box!