António Pinho Vargas

António Pinho Vargas (born August 15, 1951 in Vila Nova de Gaia) is a Portuguese composer and pianist specializing in jazz and contemporary music. He has also written books, essays, and articles on music.

Career
Having obtained a degree in history at the University of Porto, he studied music at the Rotterdam Conservatory from 1987 to 1990 and graduated with a degree in Musical Composition. In 1991, he began teaching musical composition at the Escola Superior de Música in Lisbon. His first jazz album was Outros Lugares (1983). He also wrote soundtracks for Portuguese films and theatrical plays.

Since his return from the Netherlands he has mainly been a classical composer, having written operas, orchestral and ensemble pieces, and works recorded by the Arditti Quartet, Galliard Ensemble, Royal Scottish Academy Brass, and the Northern Sinfonia.


 * 1983 Outros Lugares
 * 1985 Cores e Aromas
 * 1987 As Folhas Novas Mudam de Cor
 * 1989 Os Jogos do Mundo
 * 1991 Selos e borboletas
 * 1995 Monodia
 * 1996 A Luz e a Escuridão
 * 2001 Versos
 * 2003 Os Dias Levantados
 * 2008 Solo
 * 2009 Solo II
 * 2011 Concerto No IST  Improvisações
 * 2014 Step by Step, Drumming GP plays António Pinho Vargas
 * 2014 Outro Fim
 * 2014 Requiem & Judas

Ensemble
for Violoncello and Large Ensemble alto fl, ob, cl, bcl, fg, tp, cor, tbn, 3 perc., pf, Cello Solo, 6 vln, 2 vla, 2 vlc, 2 cb; Duration: 27' Commissioned by: Casa da Música / Porto 2001 First Performance: Anssi Karttunen (violoncello) and Remix Ensemble, dir: Frank Ollu, Porto, 2005
 * SIX PORTRAITS OF PAIN (2005)
 * critic |

for Ensemble fl; ob; cl; bcl, fg; 2 perc; pf; vl I; vl II; vla; vlc; cb; Duration: 12 ' Commissioned by: Fundação Oriente First Performance: OchestrUtópica, dir. Yu- Feng, Lisboa, 2003
 * MACHINES FICTIVES (pour Pierrot le fou) (2003) (withdrawn for rev.)

for 12 instruments fl; ob; cl, cor; fg;; pf; perc; vln I ; vl II; vla; vlc; cb Duration: 10' Commissioned by: Foundation Calouste Gulbenkian First Performance: Ensemble Nuova Sincronia, dir. Renato Rivolta, Lisboa and Milano, 1997
 * TRÊS VERSOS DE CAEIRO (1997)
 * record |

for 10 instruments fl, cl1, cl/clb, fg/cfg, tp, cr, tbn, pf, vln, vlc, Duration: 17' Commissioned by: Professional School of Music – Almada First Performance: Soloists from Orq. Sinfónica Portuguesa, Lisboa
 * TRÊS QUADROS PARA ALMADA (1994)
 * record |

for 10 instruments fl; cl; c.i.clb; vib/mar; cel/pf vln I vla; vlc; cb Duration: 12' Commissioned by: First Performance: Performance: Ensemble RC, dir. Arie Van Beck, Amsterdam
 * ESTUDO/FIGURA (1990)

for Opus Ensemble (withdrawn) ob/c.i.,vla, cb, pf. Duration: 12' Commissioned by: RTP First Performance: Soloists from Rotterdam's Conservatorium, Amsterdam (withdrawn for rev.)
 * MÚSICA PLANA / MÚSICA CONTRAPLANA (1989)

Orchestra
for Violino and Orquestra Commissioned by CCN First Performance February 2016, Tamila Kharambura, violin, Orquestra Metropolitana de Lisboa dir. Gary Walker
 * CONCERTO para VIOLINO in memorian Gareguin Aroutiounian

para Orquestra Commissioned by Orquestra Clássica do Sul First Performance July–August 2014
 * QUADROS (de arte moderna)

(2.2.2.2–4.2.2.1-Timp. 1/2 perc .hp.- 8.8.6.6.5.) Duration:12' Commissioned by: Guimarães Capital Europeia da Cultura. First Performance: Orq. Estúdio Guimarães, dir. Rui Massena, Outubro2012, Auditório do CC Vila Flor.
 * OUVERTURES AND CLOSURES (2012)for orchestra

for Orchestra, 3 narrators prerecorded and electronics Commissioned by Casa da Música, Centro Cultural de Belém e Teatro de São Carlos, for the composer's 60 birthday First Performance: OS CdM, dir. Christopher Konig, 1-10- 11, Second performance: OSP, dir. Diego Masson, 17 – 1 -12,
 * ONZE CARTAS (2011)

for orchestra (Strings 3 vlns 2 vlas, 3 vlc, 1cb e harpsichord) Duration: 12 ' Commissioned by: Centro Cultural de Belém First Performance: Orq. Metropolitana de Lisboa, dir. MICHAEL ZILM, Abril 2009 Grande Auditório do CCB
 * AN IMPOSSIBLE TASK (2009)

for speaker and orchestra (2.2.2.2- 2.2.2.-1 perc, .hp.-6.6.4.4.2) Duration: 12 ' Commissioned by: Orquestra Metropolitana de Lisboa First Performance: Orq. Sinfónica Portuguesa, dir. MICHAEL ZILM, Dezembro 2007 Pequeno Auditório do CCB
 * UM DISCURSO DE THOMAS BERNHARD (2009)

for large orchestra (3.3.3.1.3.1- 6.3.3.1–5 perc. pf.hp.-16.14.12.10.8) Duration: 25 ' Commissioned by: Teatro Nacional de São Carlos First Performance: Orq. Sinfónica Portuguesa, dir. LOTHAR KÖNIGS, Março 2006, Grande Auditório do CCB
 * GRAFFITI [just forms] (2006)
 * critic |

for orchestra and percussion obligato (2.2.2.2. – 0.2.0.2. -1perc) (10.8.6.5.4) Duration: 8 ' Commissioned by: Teatro Nacional de S. Carlos First Performance: Orq. Sinfónica Portuguesa dir. Donato Renzentti, Lisboa, 2004
 * REENTERING (2004)
 * opinion |

for piano solo and orchestra (2.2.2.2 – 4.2.0.0. – 2 perc- 14.12.10.6.5) Duration: 18 ' Commissioned by: International Music Festival of Coimbra First Performance: Orq. Gulbenkian, dir. Yu Feng; piano: Anne Kaasa, Coimbra, 2004 (withdrawn for rev.)
 * ... VON FREMDEN LÄNDLER ... (2004) (withdrawn for rev.)

for string orchestra (8.6.6.6.5) Duration: 15' Commissioned by: First Performance: Orq. Nacional do Porto, dir. Cesário Costa, V.N. Gaia
 * DUAS PEÇAS (1992–2000)

for orchestra (2.2.2.2 – 4.2.0.0. 1 perc); (14.12.10.6.5) Duration: 20 ' Commissioned by: Foundation Calouste Gulbenkian First Performance: Orq. Gulbenkian, dir. Michael Zilm, Lisboa, 2001
 * A IMPACIÊNCIA DE MAHLER (1999)

for piano, percussion and orchestra (2. 2. 2. 1. 2 – 2. 2. 2. 2. 1. 2 perc); strings A (6.6.4.4.3); strings B (6.6.4.4.3) Duration: 19 ' Commissioned by: Teatro Nacional de São Carlos http://www.mic.pt/ First Performance: Orq. Sinfónica Portuguesa, dir. António Saiote. Piano: Miguel Henriques, Percussion: Elizabeth Davies, Lisboa, 1998
 * ACTING-OUT (1998–2000)
 * critic |

for orchestra and jazz trio Duration: 20 ' Commissioned by: Comissão Portuguesa dos Descobrimentos First Performance: Orq. Gulbenkian, dir. Michel Swiertchevisky, Lisboa.
 * EXPLICIT DRAMA (1992) (withdrawn for rev.)

GEOMETRAL (1988–2000) (withdrawn for rev.) for Orchestra (27 instruments) Duration: 20 ' Commissioned by: Foundation Calouste Gulbenkian First Performance: Orq. Gulbenkian, dir. Michel Tabachnik, Lisboa, 1989

Chamber music
for string quartet and piano Duration: 9' Commissioned by: Síntese, GMCG First Performance: (14-11-2013)
 * NO ART II (2013)

version for flute and piano Duration: 9' Commissioned by: Luís Meireles 2010 First Performance: (5-1-2013)
 * QUATRO NOVOS FRAGMENTOS (2012)

for String Quartet Commissioned by Instituto Superior Técnico de Lisboa First performance: Quarteto de Cordas de Matosinhos at IST, July 2012
 * STRING QUARTET Nº 3 (2011)

for violin and piano Duration: 10' Commissioned by: Centro Cultural de Belém First Performance: 29-5-2011
 * QUASI UNA SONATA (2011)

for clarinet and piano Duration: 9' Commissioned by: António Saiote 2010 First Performance: (2012)
 * QUATRO NOVOS FRAGMENTOS (2010)

for Sond'art Ensemble (fl, cl, ln, vlc, pno) Duration: 1' Commissioned by: para os 25 anos do MisoMusic Portugal – 2010 First Performance: 14 April 2010, Instituto Franco-Português
 * ONE MINUTE TO GO (2010)

for String Quartet Duration: 11' Commissioned by: XXX Festival Internacional de Música da Povoa de Varzim First Performance: Quarteto Verazin, Póvoa de Varzim, 2008
 * MOVIMENTOS DO SUBSOLO, QUARTETO DE CORDAS Nº 2 (2008)

for 2 violins (2.2.2.2. – 0.2.0.2. -1perc) (10.8.6.5.4) Duration: 6 ' Commissioned by: Movimentos Perpétuos First Performance: Aníbal Lima e Pedro Pacheco, Lisboa, 2003
 * DOIS VIOLINOS FOR CARLOS PAREDES (2003)
 * record |

for 6 percussionists (2.2.2.2. – 0.2.0.2. -1perc) (10.8.6.5.4) Duration: 6 ' Commissioned by: Drumming First Performance: Drumming, dir. Miguel Bernat, 2002
 * STEP BY STEP, WOLFS! (2002)
 * critic |

for 2 pianos Duration: 15 ' Commissioned by: First Performance: Miguel Henriques, Ana Valente, Lisboa, 2001
 * TRÊS ESTUDOS FOR 2 PIANOS (2000–2001)
 * critic |

for 2 trumpets or 2 recorders Duration: 6 ' Commissioned by: International Music Festival of Mafra First Performance: John Wallace, John Miller, Mafra, 2001
 * TWO FAMILY DISCUSSIONS (2001)
 * record | | critic |

for clarinet trio Duration: 15 ' Commissioned by: First Performance: Cl: António Saiote, Vlc: Jed Barahal, Pf: António Rosado, Póvoa de Varzim, 2001
 * QUATRO OU CINCO MOVIMENTOS FUGIDIOS DA ÁGUA (2001)
 * critic | record |

for barítone and piano Duration: 18' Commissioned by: First Performance: Paulo Ferreira, Jaime Mota, Porto, 2000
 * SETE CANÇÕES DE ALBANO MARTINS (2000)
 * critic | record |

for 6 percussionists Duration: 25' Commissioned by: First Performance: Drumming, dir. Miguel Bernat, Lisboa, 2000
 * ESTUDOS E INTERLÚDIOS (2000)
 * critic |

for 4 instruments Duration: 10' Commissioned by: "Sven for Parlor" First Performance: "Sven for Parlor", Athens, 1997
 * TERCEIRO VERSO DE CAEIRO (1997)

for voice e piano Duration: 25' Commissioned by: Encontros Primavera de Guimarães First Performance: Rui Taveira, Jaime Mota, Guimarães, 1995
 * NOVE CANÇÕES DE ANTÓNIO RAMOS ROSA (1995)
 * critic | record |

for string sextet Duration: 8' Commissioned by: Câmara Municipal do Porto First Performance: Sextuor L'Artois de Lille, Porto, 1994
 * NOCTURNO/DIURNO (1994)
 * record |

for string quartet Duration: 15' Commissioned by: Câmara Municipal do Porto para as Jornadas de Arte Contemporânea de 1993 http://www.mic.pt/ First Performance: Ensemble MusikFabrik, Porto, 1993
 * MONODIA – quasi un requiem (1993)
 * critic | record 1 | record 2 |

for string orchestra (8,6,6,4,4) Duration: 6' Commissioned by: Orquestra Metropolitana de Lisboa First Performance: Orq. Metropolitana de Lisboa, dir. Miguel Graça Moura, Lisboa, 1992
 * MECHANICAL STRING TOYS (1992)

for flute and string quartet Duration: 6' Commissioned by: Oficina Musical First Performance: Oficina Musical, dir. Álvaro Salazar, Porto, 1990
 * POETICA DELL ESTINZIONE (secondo mikhal serguieievitch) (1990)
 * record |

for saxophone quartet alto/soprano; alto; tenor; baritone Duration: 8' Commissioned by: First Performance: Quarteto de Saxofones de Lisboa, Lisboa, 1989
 * CUT (1989 / rev.: 2004)

for flute and clarinet alto/soprano; alto; tenor; baritone Duration: 6' Commissioned by: Oficina Musical First Performance: Eduardo Lucena, Américo Aguiar (Oficina Musical), Porto, 1984 (withdrawn for rev.)
 * GRAVITAÇÕES (1984)

Opera, Oratoria
Choir a cappella Commissioned by Paulo Lourenço First performance: May 2014
 * DE PROFUNDIS (2014)

Choir and Orchestra Commissioned by Culturgest First performance: Choir and Orchestra Gulbenkian, dir. Cesário Costa, 11/12 Oct. 2013
 * MAGNIFICAT (2013)

Choir and Orchestra Duration: 30' Commissioned by Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian First performance: Choir and Orchestra Gulbenkian, dir. Joana Carneiro, 21/22 Nov. 2012
 * REQUIEM (2012)

chamber opera 5 singers; fl; ob; cl; Bcl; fg/cf; 2hn; tbn; 2 perc; pf; 3 vl I;3 vl II;2 vla;2 vln;2 cb; Libreto: José Maria Vieira Mendes Duration: 1h 30' Commissioned by: Culturgest First Performance: Sónia Alcobaça, Luís Rodrigues, Larissa Savchanko, Mário Alves, Madalena Boleo Orquestra Sinfónica Portuguesa, dir.Cesário Costa, Lisboa, 2008
 * OUTRO FIM (2009)

chamber opera 3 singers; fl; ob; cl; Bcl; fg; tp; hn; tbn; 2 perc; harp; pf; vl I; vl II; vla; vln; cb; Electronics by Carlos Caires and Antonio Pinho Vargas Libreto: Paulo Tunhas Duration: 32' Commissioned by: Casa da Música First Performance: Eduarda Melo, Matthew Bean, Ivan Ludlow Remix Ensemble, dir. Franck Ollu, Lisboa, 1996
 * A LITTLE MADNESS IN THE SPRING (2006) (withdrawn for rev.)
 * critic |

for choir and orchestra Large Choir; (2.2.2.2.4.2.2.0. 1 perc); (12.10.8.8.6) Duration: 30' Commissioned by: Festival de Música Sacra de Viana do Castelo First Performance: Choir and Orq. Gulbenkian dir. Fernando Eldoro, 2002
 * JUDAS (secundum Lucam, Joannem, Matthaeum et Marcum) (2002)
 * critic |

opera 8 singers; Large Choir; (2.2.3.2 – 2.0.2.2 – 3 perc) ; Strings Libretto: Manuel Gusmão Duration: 105' Commissioned by: Expo'98 First Performance: Orq. Sinfónica Portuguesa, Choir from Teatro Nacional de S. Carlos, dir. João Paulo Santos, Lisboa, 1998
 * OS DIAS LEVANTADOS (1998)
 * critic | record critics | record |

opera 4 singers; 32 choir; fl;fg; cl; ob; tp; tbn; 2 perc pf; vl I; vl II; vla; vln; cb; Libretto: Pedro Paixão Duration: 64' Commissioned by: Culturgest First Performance: Soilists from Orq. Sinfónica Portuguesa, Choir from Teatro Nacional de S. Carlos, dir. João Paulo Santos, Lisboa, 1996
 * ÉDIPO – Tragédia de Saber (1996)

opera for 4 mixed choir Duration: 5' Commissioned by: First Performance: Coro de Câmara de Lisboa, dir. Teresita Gutierrez Marques, Lisboa, 1994
 * ANCESTRAL E MUDO (1994)
 * record |

Solo
!Title !!Year !!Instrument !!Duration !!Published by !!Commissioned by !!1st performance

for Vibrafone Solo || 6' || Auditório da Academia de Música de Espinho || Miquel Bernat, 2011
 * NO ART: four études for solo violin (2012)
 * POLÍTICAS DA AMIZADE: ESTUDO PARA VIBRAFONE (2011)

for Cello Solo || 12' || Conservatório de Música das Caldas de Rainha || Nuno Abreu, Caldas de Rainha, 2008
 * SUITE PARA VIOLONCELO SOLO (2008)

for harpsichord ||14' ||International Music Festival of Mafra ||Instituto Camões, 2003 ||Ana Mafalda Castro, Mafra (withdrawn for rev.)
 * IL RITORNO (2002)

for piano ||26' ||International Music Festival of Coimbra ||Partituras PortugalSom; www.dgartes.pt ||Miguel Henriques, Coimbra.
 * HOLDERLINOS (2001)

for guitar ||3' ||Cecilia Colien Honneger ||Cecilia Colien Honneger Album; https://web.archive.org/web/20080920114718/http://www.editions-ava.com/store/category/88/ ||Gabriel Estrahellas, Madrid.
 * LA LUNA (1996)

for piano ||9' ||Secretaria de Estado da Cultura ||Musicoteca, 1994; Portuguese Music Information Centre http://www.mic.pt/ ||Paul Prenen, Amsterdam, 1990.
 * MIRRORS (1989)

for clarinet solo ||5' ||Oficina Musical, 1995 ||António Saiote, Lisboa.
 * TRÊS FRAGMENTOS (1985–87)

for flute solo ||4' ||Calouste Gulbenkian School of Braga ||-- ||Olavo Tengner, Jorge Salgado, Braga, (withdrawn for rev.).
 * PEÇA (1983)

Film music
Directed by João Botelho Directed by José Fonseca e Costa
 * 1988: Tempos difíceis
 * 1993: Aqui na Terra
 * 2001: Quem és tu?
 * 1996: Cinco dias, cinco noites
 * 2003: O fascínio