Padre Marcello Martiniano Ferreira

Fr. Ferreira Marcello Martiniano - Brasile

Fr. Marcello Martiniano Ferreira (Ponte Nova-MG, 1932), SDB, studied piano with Helena Lodi (Belo Horizonte-MG) and got his first diploma at Escola Nacional de Mùsica (UFRJ), with Arnaldo Estrela. In order to play the Great Organ of Our Lady Help of Christian’s Basilica, of the Salesians, in Niteròi, he began to study organ with Juliano Accardo and Angelo Camin (UFRJ). He also studied Harmony with Paulo Silva. At the UFRJ, Counterpoint with José Siqueira.

Following his studies he was graduated in Organ Principal with Ferruccio Vignanelli, at the Pontificio Istituto di Musica Sacra (Rome) and in Harpsicord at the Conservatorio di Musica Santa Cecilia and at the Accademia Nazionale si Santa Cecilia (Rome).

He also had a course in Gregorian Music with Eugène Cardine (Rome). He improved his organ study at the Schola Cantorum (Paris), with Jean Langlais. From Hans Klotz in Colony (Germany), K. Straube’s pupil in Leipzig, he got more information on the Max Reger’s interpretation.

In 1985 he was awarded the Musicology Doctor degree, presenting a thesis on the origin and the description of Mariana (MG) and Faro (Portugal) churches organs. Another Doctor degree, presenting a thesis on the origin and the description of Mariana (MG) and Faro (Portugal) churches organs. Another Doctor degree (Sorbonne, Paris, 2002) was awarded him with the theme: Ferruccio Vignanelli or the modern Renaissence of the Harpsichord in Italy, in the 20th century.

As a pianist, he was soloist of S. Prokofieff ‘s Concert N° 3 op.26 in C major for piano and orchestra (Symphonic Orchestra of Rio de Janeiro) and H. Villa-Lobos’ Concert n° 1 in C major for piano and orchestra. As a Harpsichordist he presented at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia (Rome) and by Arcadia Romana(Rome); at the Escola Nacional (UFRJ) and the Liceu Nilo Peçanha (Niteròi) and the Clube Portoguês (Niteròi).

In 2006 he was elected, by unanimitu, Honorary Member of the Nacional Academy of Music.

Fr. Marcello is the titular organist of Our lady Help of Christians’ Basilica, in Niteròi, RJ. He has recorded, in videocassette, Cesar Franck’s and J.S. Bach works recorded in the Basilica Monumental Organ.