Valley City State University announced on March 9 that its Department of Music will host a lecture recital celebrating the music of Brazilian composer Marlos Nobre. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, at the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts and is free and open to the public.
The recital aims to introduce audiences to Nobre’s IV Northeastern Cycle, Op. 43, a piano work inspired by folkloric traditions from Northeastern Brazil. Dr. Thiago Ferreira, a Brazilian pianist and faculty member at North Dakota State University’s Challey School of Music, will present the program.
According to the university, the event will blend live performance with commentary to help listeners understand how folklore influences contemporary classical music. The program highlights energetic genres such as frevo, maracatu, and caboclinhos—musical styles that reflect Brazil’s cultural heritage through rhythm and expressive intensity.
Rather than quoting folk melodies directly, Nobre’s composition seeks to capture their rhythmic drive and percussive textures. The university said this approach brings “the spirit of Brazilian street celebrations to the concert stage.”
The event is part of VCSU’s ongoing efforts to showcase diverse musical traditions and provide educational opportunities for both students and community members.
