The Regional Directorate for Culture, through the Angra do Heroísmo Museum, promotes a concert for two harpsichords to be held at the library of S. Francisco building next Saturday, April 23, at 3 PM.
In this concert, musicians Gustaaf van Manen and Janeen Teixeira pay tribute to Johann Sebastian Bach by performing a repertoire consisting of works by this German composer, whose 331st anniversary is celebrated Thursday, April 21.
Gustaaf Robert van Manen was born in the Netherlands and attended the University and the Conservatory of Amsterdam, where he obtained his doctorate degree in Musicology.
In addition to holding a degree in Music Pedagogy and Piano, he also concluded a librarian course (specialisation in music). From 1972 to 1980, he worked in the area of music editions in Berlin and Frankfurt. In 1980, he moved to Ponta Delgada, where he dedicated himself to the teaching of music as a guest teacher of piano and organ of the Regional Conservatory. He was the founder of the Conservatory choir.
Later, he taught the subjects of Piano, Organ, History of Music, Acoustics, Repertoire and Composition at the Angra do Heroísmo Conservatory. He also served as the President of the School Board of the Conservatory.
Currently, he is the organist of Colégio Church in Angra do Heroísmo and held the position of Musical Director of the American church at Lajes Air Base until 2012. He has dedicated the later years of his musical career to his favourite instrument, the harpsichord.
Sondra Janeen Perry Teixeira was born in Decatur in the state Illinois, USA. She pursued her studies in music at the University of California in S. Diego, where she earned her bachelor's degree in organ.
She has taught music in the United States, Costa Rica, Spain and Portugal and was a member of the teaching staff of the American School at Lajes Air Base for many years.
From 1987 to 1992, she was the pianist of Terceira Island Musical Association. She has performed with the PACTIS choir in many concerts and cultural events since 1996.
The Regional Directorate for Culture informs that this and other events may be consulted in the Cultural Agenda of CulturAçores Portal at the following address: www.culturacores.azores.gov.pt.