Vila-realense composer César Rafael won a European music composition prize. This distinction comes following his previous victory in the JOP Young Composer Competition.
In statements to VTM, César Rafael revealed he was surprised to have won. The composer confessed he did not expect the victory, since he only found out about it later than usual, and that, being a very competitive field, he had minimal hope of success.
The title of the work is inspired by Fernando Pessoa, coming from a stanza by the poet. However, the piece mainly explores the theme of Mensagem and the Discoveries.
The work represents almost like a longing that the poet himself did not experience from that era, also offering a perspective on those who stayed on land and felt longing for those who set off on a journey into the unknown.
