THE ASSOCIAÇÃO dos Amigos da Música de São Lourenço – better known as ‘The Amigos’ – will be celebrating its 15th anniversary next year. The Amigos are an international group of around 100 friends, who support the musical activities at São Lourenço Cultural Centre by underwriting the concerts that are regularly performed there. Located next to the historic Church of São Lourenço, famous for its remarkable azulejos (tiles), the Cultural Centre has regular exhibitions by well known artists and is open to all.
New grand piano
The Amigos and other concertgoers will be hearing the new Yamaha grand piano for the first time this September 22. The piano, which has been totally funded by The Amigos, was chosen by well known international pianists, Paul Crossley and Artur Pizarro, after they had tested many new and reconditioned pianos in London. The new piano is, however, coming from Lisbon.
Next concerts
Paul Crossley and Artur Pizarro will be playing at the next two concerts on September 22 and 25. There could be no better way of celebrating the arrival of the new piano than by hearing this brilliant Anglo-Portuguese alliance play a variety of pieces by Grieg, Beethoven, Schumann, Liszt, Rachmaninov, Chopin and other composers.
Artur Pizarro is one of Portugal’s greatest musicians. Renowned for his lyrical poeticism and outstanding virtuosity, he performs regularly around the world with leading orchestras and the world’s most distinguished conductors, including Sir Andrew Davis, Sir Simon Rattle and Esa-Pekka Salonen.
For more than 25 years, Paul Crossley has been internationally recognised for his brilliant technical and artistic command in an enormous repertoire of piano music. As well as performing the great solo and concerto classics, he has introduced a remarkable range of new music. He is a regular visitor to the Cultural Centre.
The concert format at the Cultural Centre is unique. At all concerts, upon arrival, there is a glass of wine to enjoy and, during the slightly longer than usual interval, there will be refreshments and an opportunity to meet new and old friends on the terrace, under the stars.
The Amigos and the Cultural Centre welcome everybody to their concerts. There are vacancies for new members, so call Carmen at the São Lourenço Cultural Centre for more information and to make bookings at 289 395 475.
