Jornal de Letras, 16/08/2004
This CD by M� Jose Souza Guedes and Luis Meireles is marqued by complicity in their interpretation.
It contains two Sonates by Faure and Prokofiev. The most contrasting moments in the dialog between these two musicians, sound particulary stimulating.
Maria Gon�alves Sousa
Expresso, 7/872004
This recording evidences good balance and musical partnership. It is totally filled by Faure's A.Major
and Prokofieff's Op 94 Sonatas
These works reveal a sculptural side in the dialogues between both instruments ( Maria Jose Guedes's piano playing can be quite envolving, indeed) and in a subtle but audible way, in which they alternatively meet and confront themselves... Its result is quite rewarding and achieves some expressive richness wich envolves the listener in the universe of these composers.
Luciana Leiderfarb
O Publico, 3/07/2004
It is rathercomforting to meet a well-established duet again, as it usually promises good musicall understanding and coherent interpretations.
This recording lives up to our expectations. Faure's stylish elegance ( one of the best kept secrets in History of Music ) is well seized and is lyrical feature is deeply emphasized by these two interpreters.
The "tempi" in Prokofieff's outstanding Sonata are very well chosen and their performance is as competent as we expeted.
Manuel Pedro Ferreira
Diario de Noticias, 19/03/2004
In their interpretation of Faure Sonata op. 13 and prokofiev Sonata op. 94, Luis Meireles and Maria Jose Souza Guedes reveal deep knowledge anf full understanding of these works. These two musicians are perfectaly acquainted with chamber music dialogue and with the melodic coulored language, which is so specially typical of these two authors.
Bernardo Mariano
Web page from Gnessin Institute - Moskow, December 2003
Their programme was chosen with very good taste.
From the very first notes, the audience was seized by Meireles's vivid emotion.
In Donizetti's and Schubert's pages, this duo revealed a strong ensemble sense, which helped them to translate the composers' feelings with utmost faithfulness.
In their performance of Cesar Franck's Prelude Chorale and Fugue, M� Jose Guedes wonderfully transmitted the specific character of each different shade of sound. Her "pianos" were particulary varied and appealing.
L. Meireles gave us an ideal performance of A. Delgado's humorous piece.
Constantin Ritchkov
Web page from Gnessin Institute - Moskow, December 2003
Indeed these two interpreters revealed themselves as the representative elite of portuguese culture.
As I was listening to them, I realized that their perfect harmony was really everywhere, as if they had simply received it at birth.
Each one of them seems to be linked by invisible threads to his own instrument, making up a perfect organism with it.
L.Meireles plays the flute as a real emotional virtuoso.
The climax of their concert was the Faure's Sonata, where these musicians revealed themselves as "painters". For them the subtle shades of each harmony and of general musical colouring, plays the leading roll.
Alexander Mikhlin
Die Rheinpfalz, 30/10/2002
"Harmonious Virtuosity"
Perfect harmony exists betheen the two members of this duet.
Schubert Variations op.160 were impeccably performed, in accurate style and in a perfect viennese spirit.
The Speyer audience was very impressed by both interpreters virtuosity and thanked them with a long warm applause.
C.O.O.
Die Speyerer Tagespost, 30/10/2002
Souza Guedes's and Meireles's interpretations were very accomplished and mature, musically speaking. They revealed refined nuances, in well-planned sequences.
In Hummel Sonata the exquisit complicity of this two interpreters was evident.
In Schubert Variations op.160, technical perfection and spiritual deepness met in a most moving interpretation.
The climax of this concert was however Prokofiev Sonata op.94, also performed by heart by the flutist. Their interpretation present a great variety of ideas, colours and feelings. The Scherzo-Trio sounded like an exquisite bird - singing. In the Andante, once again, the total harmony between these two musical partners was obvious.
Karin Ruppert
Die Rheinpfalz, 29/10/2002
"Perfectly intermingled duet"
In Hummel A Major Sonata this duet revealed both the serene charm of classicism and the emotional envelopement of rising romanticism. They played their parts with fluency and lightness.
Schubert Variations op.160 were drawn by these musicians with beautiful sonority and utmost expression, going from dreaming tenderness and melancholy to passionate revolt.
Faure Sonata op.13 sounded as if it had exclusively been composed for flute and piano (instead of violin and piano). The flute and piano perfectly intermingled in utmost beaty. The reexposition of the Allegro vivo (3rd movement) was performed as "vivacissimo brillante". In the Finale this duet's profound and refined musicality emerged once again.
N.L.
Diario de Lisboa, 06/01/2001
L.Meireles and M� Jose S.Guedes impose themselves as convincing interpreters, revealing a serious investigation spirit and a adquate esthetical taste.
Teir achieved sound reveals an intense ensemble work, leaving room to individual personality within a perfect dialog.
Their liricism is never exagerated or out of place, leadin beauty to their interpretations.
Bernardo Mariano
Narona Obrode (Bratislava), 31/3/2000
...We listened to a duet of undoubtedly excelent portuguese musicians.
Lele Zemanova
Rheinpfalz, 27/11/2000
...Both musicians belong to the number of deep "connoisseurs" of their profession...
A.N.
O Publico, 1/10/1999
In this CDs, Luis Meireles and M� Jose Souza Guedes reveal a solid mutual understanding...Poulenc Sonata is played in a classical and calm atmosphere and shows a perfect connection between these two musicians.
Virgilio Melo
Composers and Musicologists Union Magazine - Bucarest, May 1999
"Portuguese guests"
Two particulary musical natures. We particulary enjoyed the variety of colours in F. Martin Ballade.In Cesar Franck Sonata they displayed a tender beginning, achieving a strong climax in the 2nd movement. They revealed complete fusion of feelings in the growing tension of the 3rd movement and a very wise balance in the Finale...
Camelia Pavlenco
Evdomi-Kavala (Greece), 29/03/1999
Luis Meireles and M� Jose Souza Guedes surprised the naudience of our town with their impressive performance...
A great chamber music duet.
Nikos Kiurtis
A Capital, 08/01/1999
Their interpretations are technically and musically quite reliable
They show a perfect dynamic and stylistic understanding.
Alejandro E. Oliva
Jornal de Letras, 03/01/1999
In the quality of their sound as well as in their musical intention they have a perfect understanding.
Teresa Manzoni
