Sergio Assad's two world-premiere guitar concertos evoke Brazil and Greece in vivid, contrasting portraits for soloist and orchestra.

Naoussa Concerto & Concerto do Rio showcases the richly expressive and cross-cultural compositional voice of Sérgio Assad, one of the most important figures in contemporary classical guitar. Released in July 2025, this recording brings together two programmatic concertos that reflect Assad's lifelong dialogue between his Brazilian roots and his deep artistic connection to Greece. The result is a compelling orchestral-guitar pairing that explores contrasting landscapes--urban and rural, historical and modern--through vivid musical storytelling.

The Naoussa Concerto stands as the culmination of Assad's longstanding collaboration with Greek guitarist Thanos Mitsalas. Premiered in the historic town of Naoussa with the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra, the work commemorates the 200th anniversary of the 1822 massacre during the Greek War of Independence. The concerto draws on this historical gravity, channeling both mourning and resilience through its thematic development and orchestral textures. Its creation is deeply rooted in Assad's evolving relationship with Greek culture, a connection that began decades earlier with works such as the Mikis Concerto Fantasia, inspired by Mikis Theodorakis, and continued through pieces like Seikilos Epitaph's Fantasy, based on the oldest surviving complete musical composition from ancient Greece.

Complementing this is Concerto do Rio, which shifts the setting to a distinctly Brazilian environment. Here, Assad's compositional language reflects the rhythmic vitality, color, and complexity of Rio de Janeiro, blending classical form with idiomatic gestures drawn from Brazilian music traditions. The contrast between the two concertos is deliberate and central to the release's concept: one evokes the rural, historical, and commemorative spirit of Greece, while the other captures the dynamic, modern pulse of Brazil's urban life.

The recording itself is the product of close collaboration between composer and performer, with Mitsalas serving not only as soloist but as a key interpretive partner whose advocacy has shaped the life of Assad's guitar works. Supported by the Municipality of Naoussa, the project reflects both cultural preservation and artistic innovation, presenting these concertos as living works that bridge geography, history, and musical tradition.

For collectors and enthusiasts of contemporary classical guitar, Naoussa Concerto & Concerto do Rio offers a rare pairing of large-scale orchestral works that highlight Sérgio Assad's compositional depth and global perspective. It is both a continuation of his legacy and a testament to the enduring power of collaboration across cultures, rendered through music that is as narrative-driven as it is technically refined.

Additional Details

Label: DA VINCI CLASSICS

Genre: Classical

Run Time: 54 mins

Release Date: 09/18/26

UPC: 746160919041