Book of Honour
Mafalda Arnauth, fado singer: "Some encounters let "saudade" and desire of meeting again. Quarteto Arabesco is definitely one of those cases of enchantment at first note, which deepens with the impeccable and irresistible flow of a sound that is perfect to fly together. For a singer like me who enjoys new challenges and directions, finding someone with similar rebellion, surrender and courage is alsways an extraordinary stimulus. A word of thanks to Pedro Joia, mentor of this meeting: besides an extraordinary musician, a wise man in the choices of adventure fellows. Thank you, Quarteto Arabesco, an honor to meet you, a pleasure to create Music with you."
Pedro Castro, oboist and artistic director of Concerto Campestre: " For me it's always a pleasure and a privilege to collaborate with Quarteto Arabesco, because these are always moments of great artistic level, of inspiration, sharing and friendship. The energy, expressiveness and rhythmic sense coupled with a high individual professionalism and perfectionism make of this quartet an excellent chamber music group."
António Carrilho, recorder and artistic director of La Nave Va: " For several years I have the privilege of working in partnership with Quarteto Arabesco. Our close collaboration began during a production of Purcell's Dido and Aeneas opera with La Nave Va, under my direction, in the Auditorium of Espinho. From then until now, we've done various collaborations on various festivals around the country. Single quartet in early instruments in Portugal, Quarteto Arabesco has developed a remarkable job in publicizing and presenting Early Music, reason for their success and high demand in concert halls across the country.
Pedro Joia, guitarist: "My relationship with Quarteto Arabesco goes far beyond music. I am pleased to share the stage with them a long time and in all these years we lived very intense and unforgettable moments. Our friendship becomes stronger at every rehearsal, concert and new project that we create together. The relationship string quartet / guitar is, in my opinion, one of the richest, most balanced and versatile in the instrumental spectrum, and the proof is the repertoire so diverse that we have interpreted and reinvented over the years. We will have much more music to do in years, decades to come."
Andrea Lupi, Antena 2 radio director: "I met Quarteto Arabesco in one of his (mine too) first concerts! In the auditorium of the Faculty of Fine Arts, in a recording for Antena 2, presented a thrown piece, Mozart's Requiem in a version for string quartet, on the day the composer's death (5th December). Stayed in my memory the music and the friendliness of the musicians. Some years have passed since that concert in 2006, but the quartet continues to strive for artistic excellence and human quality, being a pleasure to watch their concerts."
Marcos Magalhães, harpsicordist and artistic director of Os Musicos do Tejo: "The work of the Quarteto Arabesco has been exemplary for their versatility and dynamism. It gives me great pleasure to work with the musicians of the Quarteto Arabesco. The program of the Bicentenary of the French Invasions, responsibility of Lucio Studer, was a recent milestone when it comes to concerts around our musical heritage that must be recognized and is worthy of a disk issue".
Paulo Pacheco, pianist: " I've had the opportunity to watch some of the concerts presented by the Quarteto Arabesco. As a listener and a musician, I am pleased to express the professionalism and consistency of a project unique in the artistic / cultural Portuguese milieu. The Quartet has been presenting very interesting programs, showing strength and depth in their interpretations and also versatility in partnership with other musicians. I welcome this attitude and hope to continue with this momentum and ambition that has guided the genesis of this magnificent project."
Armando Possante, singer and director of Grupo Olisipo: "In recent years I have had the opportunity to work several times with the Quarteto Arabesco as a singer, both as a soloist as integrated into the Vocal Group Olisipo, of which I am musical director. At all times I was impressed by the extreme technical expertise, profound knowledge of style and adaptability of Quarteto Arabesco. However these skills are quickly forgotten due to the atmosphere of camaraderie and joy that we live at all times. All of this makes co-workers become good friends with whom I hope to continue working for many years".
Rui Paiva, organist: " I know Quarteto Arabesco since its creation, with which, since 2008, I have collaborated as an organist at various concerts. It's very grateful to me to witness that it is a pleasure to play with this quartet, for the music and human qualities of its members, with diverse backgrounds and experiences, sharing the same passion for music, especially the Early Music. The interpretations of the Quarteto Arabesco, full of verve and imagination, result from the ability of its musicians to combine creativity with a constant quest for musical and stylistic accuracy. It is undoubtedly an important milestone in the Portuguese musical life."
Vítor Rua, composer: " The Quarteto Arabesco is part of a new generation of musicians, who have adapted to this dromologic society we live in harmony. His repertoire is a time travel, covering with the same ease, the music of the Past, Present and Future. They are part of a new elite of musicians, both virtuosi in the techniques of Early Music and equipped with new instrumental techniques of the Present. Musicians exception, Quarteto Arabesco barely drew a sketch of what may yet come to bring us to the music. Ensembles like this are the Future of Music in Portugal and abroad, for his mastery goes beyond national borders, presenting themselves as a group of international nature."
Luísa Sobral, jazz singer: " I had the pleasure of working with Quarteto Arabesco on my first album "The cherry on my cake". Not only are they excellent musicians but also great people. There is nothing better than to work with professional musicians that raise our compositions to higher levels."