During a decade of extraordinary accomplishments and performances, Marcelo Bratke, one of Brazil’s pre-eminent pianists, has performed at some of the world’s most renowned venues.

"Hints of wildness yet with elegant construction, subtle rhythmic dislocations and shining piano colours." (New York Times)

In Marcelo's own words, tonight, you will experience "a journey through time in search of the roots and sources of inspiration of Bossa Nova. In other words: the anthropology of Bossa Nova. In this context, I will follow the paths started in Rio de Janeiro in 1917, when Brazilian rhythms, French Impressionism and Post-Impressionism merged for the first time. Later came jazz, with its seductive harmonies, which echoes to this day as one of the musical elements of Bossa Nova.

From Milhaud and Debussy to Villa-Lobos and Nazaré. From Claudio Santoro and Vinicius de Moraes to Dorival Caymmi and Tom Jobim, we can recognize the long time travel required to give rise to a new musical genre. A true fusion between different and distant cultures, united by the power of musical language."

“Bratke’s delicacy, neat-fingered playing and tonal sensitivity make a strong appeal. He manages to invest those little pieces by Villa-Lobos with real character." (Gramophone)

Sentimentality can be a problem for players as well, but not for Bratke. He is a gifted recital pianist: poetic, yet never gushing." (The Independent)