p>Dear Amigos,
BRAVO BRAVO! What else can one say? Last week Sa Chen gave us two of the

most spectacular concerts we have ever heard at São Lourenço. If either evening had been anything less than a sell out after the terrific publicity and press coverage we put out for her I would have gladly passed on my job into the hands of any willing recipient. As it was, the concerts did sell out and Sa Sa was every bit as brilliant as we could have hoped for. It was fascinating in the first concert to hear Beethoven’s Moonlight sonata Opus 14 written in 1801 when he was 31 followed by Sonata Opus 110, written 20 years later, just 6 years before his death aged 57. The playing was flawless in the second half too when were dazzled by her skill in a ’Selection of Preludes’ Opus 24 by Chopin. It seemed that she would not be able to maintain the standard for her second concert but she did, quite blowing us away with her incredible phrasing and dexterity.

After last week it is rather difficult to

return to the real world. If last week we heard a ‘World Class’ musician we now have to come back to reality and prepare for a group of ‘European Class’ musicians, the Trio Pangea. Put last week out of your mind and please do not underestimate these adroit and skilful people. Those of you with internet can simply Google in the name to see and hear them weave their magic as they play a couple of minutes of Fauré. As you know, these concerts on the 10th and 13th will be the last of our membership year and unlike the Sa Chen concerts where nearly all of the music was familiar to everyone, the Trio Pangea programs contain a number of contemporary pieces, some, but certainly not all of which many of us will hear for the first time. These musicians are very highly regarded and we have only been able to engage them at São Lourenço because will already be in Portugal giving concerts in Porto. The publicity should be with you during this week so please make a point of booking your seats as soon as you can.

I shall be writing to you very shortly to ask you to continue your Amigos de Música membership for the year from July1st 2009 to June 30th 2010 and I hope, when you receive the paperwork, you will be keen to renew you membership as soon as possible. The next Amigos sponsored concert will mark our new season in September and the return of wonderful, tousled haired pianist, Sandro Bartoli. You will be hearing ever increasing amounts of news as we enter the landmark year of 2010 as it will mark the 20th Year of the founding of the Amigos and the 25th Anniversary year of the Cento Cultural. We already have confirmed return visits planned from the charismatic Piers Lane and Yevgeny Subdin, so things are looking good.

I also enclose an invitation for everyone to join in a light hearted Amigos summer party at Praia de Ancão which will take place (for no particular reason) on the 4th July. As you will see, the invitation is for Amigos and their friends so do come, it should be fun.

Best wishes,

Barry

ASSOCIAÇÃO DE AMIGOS DE MÚSICA DE SÃO LOURENÇO

Rua de São Sebastião 4. Boliqueime. 8100 – 070
Tel: 289 366 617 Tlm: 919 739 997 e-mail:info@amigos-de-musica.org
Website:Amigos