José Maurício Nunes Garcia

A master of the chapel in Rio de Janeiro Cathedral, Garcia was considered "the" composer of Brazil, and in fact was the most successful and respected composer from the Americas during his life. He was an accomplished organist, composer and conductor leading Mozart's "Requiem Mass" for the initial performance in Brazil. His own "Requiem Mass' is the best example of his meritorious productions. The Mass was scored for a four part chorus, soloists, strings, two clarinets (an instrument that through eventuality became important in Garcia's compositions), two horns, flute, trumpets and kettledrums. It was not very complex in scope repeating a number of thematic devices indicatng that it was probably scored in a short period of time. The improvisational ability of Garcia at the keyboard was lauded by a former student of Haydn's as the improvisitor of the world. Over 230 works were composed by Garcia including masses, mass movements, funeral music, music for Holy Week, music for early morning and evening services, hymns, litanies, motets and canticles. ~ Keith Johnson