Paulo César Chagas

Paulo César Chagas

Works for Cello

Pas de deux (1991), for violin and cello.

Gravity and Grace: Mobile III (2015), for cello, live electronics, and visual projection.
Gravity and Grace: Mobile I (2015), for cello and piano.

Sources:

Paulo César Chagas

Brazilian composer and researcher, born August 31, 1953.

Born in Salvador da Bahia, Bahia, Brazil, Chagas is an internationally known composer and researcher whose music is based upon a pluralistic aesthetic that embraces elements of European and Brazilian traditions. Chagas studied composition at the University of São Paulo, Brazil (1973-79), and at the Royal Music Conservatory of Liège, Belgium (1980-82). He studied electronic music composition at the Cologne Music Academy, Germany (1982-89). From 1990-1999, Chagas was the Sound Director at the Electronic Music Studio at WDR Radio Cologne; Chagas went on to conduct research and work as a composer-in-residence for many arts organizations while he lived in Belgium and Germany. Before moving to the US, Chagas earned a Ph.D. in Musicology from the University of Liège, Belgium (2003). Since 2004, he has been a Professor of Composition at the Music Department of the University of California, Riverside.

A very versatile composer, Chagas has composed over 160 works. In addition to writing for acoustic instruments, Chagas uses diverse musical materials including digital media, dance, video, and audiovisual installations. Chagas has earned numerous commissions and fellowships and his works have been performed in Russia, Germany, Belgium, France, South Korea, the USA, and throughout Latin America to public and critical acclaim. Chagas is also a prolific author of articles on musical semiotics and electroacoustic and digital music. His most recent book, Unsayable Music: Six Reflections on Musical Semiotics, Electroacoustic and Digital Music (Leuven University Press, 2014), presents theoretical, critical, and analytical reflections on contemporary music creativity.