António Pinho Vargas (born 15 August 1951 in Vila Nova de Gaia) is a Portuguese composer and pianist specializing in jazz and contemporary music.
Since his return from the Netherlands, he has primarily focused on classical composition, creating operas, orchestral and ensemble works.
His pieces have been recorded by groups such as the Arditti Quartet, Galliard Ensemble, Royal Scottish Academy Brass, and the Northern Sinfonia.
For Violoncello and Large Ensemble: alto flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, cornet, trombone, 3 percussion, piano, cello solo, 6 violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos, 2 contrabasses Duration: 27' Commissioned by: Casa da Música / Porto 2001 First Performance: Anssi Karttunen (violoncello) and Remix Ensemble, conducted by Frank Ollu, Porto, 2005 For Ensemble: flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, 2 percussion, piano, violin I, violin II, viola, cello, contrabass Duration: 12' Commissioned by: Fundação Oriente First Performance: OrchestrUtópica, conducted by Yu-Feng, Lisbon, 2003 For 12 Instruments: flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon, piano, percussion, violin I, violin II, viola, cello, contrabass Duration: 10' Commissioned by: Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation First Performance: Ensemble Nuova Sincronia, conducted by Renato Rivolta, Lisbon and Milan, 1997 For 10 instruments: flute, clarinet I, clarinet/bass clarinet, bassoon/contrabassoon, trumpet, cornet, trombone, piano, violin, cello Duration: 17' Commissioned by: Professional School of Music – Almada First Performance: Soloists from Orquestra Sinfónica Portuguesa, Lisbon For 10 instruments: flute, clarinet, clarinet in b-flat/bass clarinet, vibraphone/marimba, cello/piano, violin I, viola, cello, contrabass Duration: 12' Commissioned by: [Commissioning entity] First Performance: Ensemble RC, conducted by Arie Van Beck, Amsterdam For Opus Ensemble (withdrawn): oboe/clarinet in b-flat, viola, contrabass, piano Duration: 12' Commissioned by: RTP First Performance: Soloists from Rotterdam Conservatorium, Amsterdam (withdrawn for revision) For Violin and Orchestra Commissioned by: CCN First Performance: February 2016, Tamila Kharambura (violin), Orquestra Metropolitana de Lisboa, conducted by Gary Walker For Orchestra Commissioned by: Orquestra Clássica do Sul First Performance: July–August 2014 For Orchestra: (2.2.2.2 – 4.2.2.1 – Timpani, 1/2 percussion, harp – 8.8.6.6.5) Duration: 12' Commissioned by: Guimarães Capital Europeia da Cultura First Performance: Orquestra Estúdio Guimarães, conducted by Rui Massena, October 2012, Auditório do CC Vila Flor.
For Orchestra, 3 Narrators (prerecorded), and Electronics Commissioned by: Casa da Música, Centro Cultural de Belém, and Teatro de São Carlos, for the composer's 60th birthday First Performance: Orquestra Sinfónica Casa da Música, conducted by Christopher Konig, 1 October 2011 Second Performance: Orquestra Sinfónica Portuguesa, conducted by Diego Masson, 17 January 2012 For Orchestra (Strings: 3 violins, 2 violas, 3 cellos, 1 contrabass, and harpsichord) Duration: 12' Commissioned by: Centro Cultural de Belém First Performance: Orquestra Metropolitana de Lisboa, conducted by Michael Zilm, April 2009, Grande Auditório do CCB For Speaker and Orchestra (2.2.2.2 – 2.2.2 – 1 percussion, harp – 6.6.4.4.2) Duration: 12' Commissioned by: Orquestra Metropolitana de Lisboa First Performance: Orquestra Sinfónica Portuguesa, conducted by Michael Zilm, December 2007, Pequeno Auditório do CCB For Large Orchestra: (3.3.3.1, 3.1 – 6.3.3.1 – 5 percussion, piano, harp – 16.14.12.10.8) Duration: 25' Commissioned by: Teatro Nacional de São Carlos First Performance: Orquestra Sinfónica Portuguesa, conducted by Lothar Königs, March 2006, Grande Auditório do CCB For Orchestra and Percussion Obligato: (2.2.2.2 – 0.2.0.2 – 1 percussion) (10.8.6.5.4) Duration: 8' Commissioned by: Teatro Nacional de São Carlos First Performance: Orquestra Sinfónica Portuguesa, conducted by Donato Renzetti, Lisbon, 2004 For Piano Solo and Orchestra: (2.2.2.2 – 4.2.0.0 – 2 percussion – 14.12.10.6.5) Duration: 18' Commissioned by: International Music Festival of Coimbra First Performance: Gulbenkian Orchestra, conducted by Yu Feng; piano: Anne Kaasa, Coimbra, 2004 (withdrawn for revision) For String Orchestra: (8.6.6.6.5) Duration: 15' Commissioned by: [Commissioning entity] First Performance: Orquestra Nacional do Porto, conducted by Cesário Costa, Vila Nova de Gaia For Orchestra: (2.2.2.2 – 4.2.0.0 – 1 percussion); (14.12.10.6.5) Duration: 20' Commissioned by: Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation First Performance: Gulbenkian Orchestra, conducted by Michael Zilm, Lisbon, 2001 For Piano, Percussion, and Orchestra: (2.2.2.1.2 – 2.2.2.2.1.2 percussion); Strings A: (6.6.4.4.3); Strings B: (6.6.4.4.3) Duration: 19' Commissioned by: Teatro Nacional de São Carlos First Performance: Orquestra Sinfónica Portuguesa, conducted by António Saiote, Piano: Miguel Henriques, Percussion: Elizabeth Davies, Lisbon, 1998 For Orchestra and Jazz Trio Duration: 20' Commissioned by: Comissão Portuguesa dos Descobrimentos First Performance: Gulbenkian Orchestra, conducted by Michel Swiertchevisky, Lisbon For Orchestra (27 instruments) Duration: 20' Commissioned by: Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation First Performance: Gulbenkian Orchestra, conducted by Michel Tabachnik, Lisbon, 1989 For String Quartet and Piano Duration: 9' Commissioned by: Síntese, GMCG First Performance: 14 November 2013 Version for Flute and Piano Duration: 9' Commissioned by: Luís Meireles, 2010 First Performance: 5 January 2013 For String Quartet Commissioned by: Instituto Superior Técnico de Lisboa First Performance: Quarteto de Cordas de Matosinhos at IST, July 2012 For Violin and Piano Duration: 10' Commissioned by: Centro Cultural de Belém First Performance: 29 May 2011 For Clarinet and Piano Duration: 9' Commissioned by: António Saiote, 2010 First Performance: 2012 For Sond'art Ensemble (Flute, Clarinet, Horn, Cello, Piano) Duration: 1' Commissioned by: MisoMusic Portugal for its 25th Anniversary, 2010 First Performance: 14 April 2010, Instituto Franco-Português For String Quartet Duration: 11' Commissioned by: XXX Festival Internacional de Música da Póvoa de Varzim First Performance: Quarteto Verazin, Póvoa de Varzim, 2008 For 2 Violins: (2.2.2.2 – 0.2.0.2 – 1 percussion); (10.8.6.5.4) Duration: 6' Commissioned by: Movimentos Perpétuos First Performance: Aníbal Lima and Pedro Pacheco, Lisbon, 2003 For 6 Percussionists: (2.2.2.2 – 0.2.0.2 – 1 percussion); (10.8.6.5.4) Duration: 6' Commissioned by: Drumming First Performance: Drumming, conducted by Miguel Bernat, 2002 For 2 Pianos Duration: 15' Commissioned by: [Commissioning Body] First Performance: Miguel Henriques and Ana Valente, Lisbon, 2001 For 2 Trumpets or 2 Recorders Duration: 6' Commissioned by: International Music Festival of Mafra First Performance: John Wallace and John Miller, Mafra, 2001 For Clarinet Trio Duration: 15' Commissioned by: [Commissioning Body] First Performance: Clarinet: António Saiote, Cello: Jed Barahal, Piano: António Rosado, Póvoa de Varzim, 2001 For Baritone and Piano Duration: 18' Commissioned by: [Commissioning Body] First Performance: Paulo Ferreira (Baritone), Jaime Mota (Piano), Porto, 2000 For 6 Percussionists Duration: 25' Commissioned by: [Commissioning Body] First Performance: Drumming, conducted by Miguel Bernat, Lisbon, 2000 For 4 Instruments Duration: 10' Commissioned by: "Sven for Parlor" First Performance: "Sven for Parlor," Athens, 1997 For Voice and Piano Duration: 25' Commissioned by: Encontros Primavera de Guimarães First Performance: Rui Taveira (Voice), Jaime Mota (Piano), Guimarães, 1995 For String Sextet Duration: 8' Commissioned by: Câmara Municipal do Porto First Performance: Sextuor L'Artois de Lille, Porto, 1994 For String Quartet Duration: 15' Commissioned by: Câmara Municipal do Porto for the Jornadas de Arte Contemporânea de 1993 First Performance: Ensemble MusikFabrik, Porto, 1993 For String Orchestra (8, 6, 6, 4, 4) Duration: 6' Commissioned by: Orquestra Metropolitana de Lisboa First Performance: Orquestra Metropolitana de Lisboa, conducted by Miguel Graça Moura, Lisboa, 1992 For Flute and String Quartet Duration: 6' Commissioned by: Oficina Musical First Performance: Oficina Musical, conducted by Álvaro Salazar, Porto, 1990 For Saxophone Quartet (Alto/Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone) Duration: 8' Commissioned by: [Commissioning Organization] First Performance: Quarteto de Saxofones de Lisboa, Lisboa, 1989 For Flute and Clarinet (Alto/Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone) Duration: 6' Commissioned by: Oficina Musical First Performance: Eduardo Lucena, Américo Aguiar (Oficina Musical), Porto, 1984 (withdrawn for revision) For Choir A Cappella Commissioned by: Paulo Lourenço First Performance: May 2014 For Choir and Orchestra Commissioned by: Culturgest First Performance: Choir and Orchestra Gulbenkian, conducted by Cesário Costa, 11–12 October 2013 For Choir and Orchestra Duration: 30' Commissioned by: Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian First Performance: Choir and Orchestra Gulbenkian, conducted by Joana Carneiro, 21–22 November 2012 Chamber opera For 5 singers; flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, contrabassoon; 2 horns, trombone; 2 percussionists, piano; 3 violins I, 3 violins II, 2 violas, 2 cellos Libretto: José Maria Vieira Mendes Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes Commissioned by: Culturgest First Performance: Sónia Alcobaça, Luís Rodrigues, Larissa Savchanko, Mário Alves, Madalena Boleo, Orquestra Sinfónica Portuguesa, conducted by Cesário Costa, Lisbon, 2008 Chamber opera For 3 singers; flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, horn, trombone; 2 percussionists, harp, piano; violin I, violin II, viola, cello Electronics by Carlos Caires and António Pinho Vargas Libretto: Paulo Tunhas Duration: 32 minutes Commissioned by: Casa da Música First Performance: Eduarda Melo, Matthew Bean, Ivan Ludlow, Remix Ensemble, conducted by Franck Ollu, Lisbon, 1996 For choir and orchestra Large choir; (2.2.2.2.4.2.2.0, 1 percussionist); (12.10.8.8.6) Duration: 30 minutes Commissioned by: Festival de Música Sacra de Viana do Castelo First Performance: Choir and Orquestra Gulbenkian, conducted by Fernando Eldoro, 2002 Opera 8 singers; large choir; (2.2.3.2 – 2.0.2.2 – 3 percussionists); strings Libretto: Manuel Gusmão Duration: 105 minutes Commissioned by: Expo'98 First Performance: Orquestra Sinfónica Portuguesa, choir from Teatro Nacional de São Carlos, conducted by João Paulo Santos, Lisboa, 1998 Opera 4 singers; 32-voice choir; flute; fagot; clarinet; oboe; trumpet; trombone; 2 percussionists; piano; violin I; violin II; viola; cello; double bass Libretto: Pedro Paixão Duration: 64 minutes Commissioned by: Culturgest First Performance: Soloists from Orquestra Sinfónica Portuguesa, choir from Teatro Nacional de São Carlos, conducted by João Paulo Santos, Lisboa, 1996 Opera for 4 mixed choirs Duration: 5 minutes Commissioned by: [Commissioning organization not specified] First Performance: Coro de Câmara de Lisboa, conducted by Teresita Gutierrez Marques, Lisboa, 1994 For Vibraphone Solo Duration: 6' First Performance: Auditório da Academia de Música de Espinho, Miquel Bernat, 2011 For Cello Solo Duration: 12' First Performance: Conservatório de Música das Caldas de Rainha, Nuno Abreu, Caldas de Rainha, 2008 For Harpsichord Duration: 14' Commissioned by: International Music Festival of Mafra First Performance: Instituto Camões, 2003, Ana Mafalda Castro, Mafra (withdrawn for revision) For Piano Duration: 26' Commissioned by: International Music Festival of Coimbra Published by: Partituras PortugalSom First Performance: Miguel Henriques, Coimbra For Guitar Duration: 3' Performed by: Cecilia Colien Honneger Album: Cecilia Colien Honneger First Performance: Gabriel Estrahellas, Madrid For Piano Duration: 9' Commissioned by: Secretaria de Estado da Cultura Published by: Musicoteca, 1994; Portuguese Music Information Centre First Performance: Paul Prenen, Amsterdam, 1990 For Clarinet Solo Duration: 5' Published by: Oficina Musical, 1995 First Performance: António Saiote, Lisboa For Flute Solo Duration: 4' Commissioned by: Calouste Gulbenkian School of Braga First Performance: Olavo Tengner, Jorge Salgado, Braga (withdrawn for revision) Directed by João Botelho Directed by José Fonseca e Costa