November 11, 2025
Bossa Sonora as Performed in the Concert, ‘Resurgence Vol. 2’ at Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall, New York
By Ellen L Gilmer
Margaret Brandman’s innovative and inspiring composition, Bossa Sonora, brought an enthralling blend of enlivening Latin dance rhythms and astute classical elements to Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York on November 11th, 2025.
Margaret is renowned for her extensive knowledge, in-depth understanding, and inclusion of varied scales, chromatic harmonies, definitive rhythms, and tonal colorings in her compositions and performances as a concert pianist. Margaret’s innate ability to empower her music with the natural and continuous beauty and incorrigible energy as well as the prevailing vitality of the universe enhances the very essence of her ever-enlightening pieces and performances.
Cellist Ovidiu Marinescu, Composer Margaret Brandman and Pianist Carl Cranmer following the performance of ‘Bossa Sonora.’
All of the outstanding compositions included in this highly engaging concert program were performed by cellist Ovidiu Marinescu and pianist Carl Cranmer, and Margaret’s Bossa Sonora offered an abundance of brilliant hues, enticing rhythms, and captivating melodies. In addition, the piece’s sophisticated, sensitive structural patterns were subtly stroked with intriguing and playfully, yet skillfully nuanced references, inferences, and accents.
Each rich, fluid melodic arch of the composition intersects seamlessly with the underlying vertical harmonic architecture. Exceptional artistry and globally experienced emotions join in universal recognition enhanced by ardent and mutual appreciation. Bossa Sonora, composed in 2021, is the second movement from Margaret’s eight-part suite, La Vida Apasionada, first composed for a string and percussion ensemble, commissioned by Vov Dylan and the Palace Orchestra. (Release Date: March 26, 2025, Ambition Records.)
The entire suite, including Bossa Sonora, was subsequently arranged for cello and piano, violin and piano, flute and piano, and clarinet and piano, as well as solo piano. An accomplished pianist, she has recently performed the violin and clarinet versions of the suite together in concert with instrumentalists in Sydney.
Bossa Sonora is a highly engaging piece – from its G Minor introduction, the work moves to a primary theme in E-flat Major, then continues in G Major, with its conclusion in D Major.
Bossa Sonora, arranged for cello and piano and performed by Ovidiu Marinescu and Carl Cranmer at Carnegie Hall, was warmly received and enthusiastically applauded.
Margaret Onstage With Carl and Ovidiu, Acknowledging Applause Following the Carnegie Hall Performance of ‘Bossa Sonora.’
Bossa Sonora, version for cello and piano, appears as Track 1 on Parma Recordings’ ‘Resurgence Vol 2’ album released on the 11th of July 2025 on the Navona Label. (nv6729)
An Eventful Lifetime Journey in Music
Quoting Margaret, “I compose music that is uplifting, positive or meditative for peace and harmony on the planet.” Anyone with the good fortune of experiencing Margaret’s music in performance feels the empowering embrace of compositions in seamless, sustained alignment with the unique kinetic energy and naturally orchestrated rhythms, cadences, colors and tonalities of the universe.
From her early childhood in a family of musicians and throughout her exemplary career in music, Margaret has created a body of exceptional, highly engaging and valuable compositions, recordings, arrangements, books and articles. She has developed and shared her fascinating creative vision and complex, yet naturally fluid, uplifting, and compelling compositions with audiences across Australia and around the globe.
Early and Versatile Achievements in Music
At the young age of four, Margaret began studying accordion and piano. During her teenage years, she expanded her music studies to include guitar and clarinet. She later continued her comprehensive music education at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music with formal instruction in piano, clarinet, harmony and composition. There her studies included numerous forms of music with a focus on Classical, Jazz and Latin-American.
Advanced Education, Degrees and Awards
Awarded a scholarship to the University of Sydney, Margaret continued her studies in composition with Peter Sculthorpe. After receiving her Associate Performer degree and her Teacher of Pianoforte diploma, she graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in Composition. Margaret’s many distinguished honors and awards to follow have included the F.Mus.Ed.ASMC., F.Comp.ASMC., and L.Perf.ASMC. degrees awarded by the Australian Society for Musicology and Composition, Hon.FNMSM (UK), and the Dip.E in Piano Pedagogy of the World Piano Teacher’s Association (Serbia).
Composer Margaret Brandman, Pianist Carl Cranmer, and Cellist Ovidiu Marinescu receiving applause onstage following the Carnegie Hall performance.
Margaret has enjoyed an active, versatile career in music as a composer, concert pianist, recording artist, arranger, author, and educator. Many of her compositions have won high awards and honors. These outstanding pieces have also received airplay throughout Australia and globally. In addition, her compositions have been performed frequently in live concert settings. Enjoy watching Margaret’s recent Life Stories Podcast with Marty O’Connor.
La Vida Apasionada suite was performed on the 26th of March 2025 by Vov Dylan and the Palace Orchestra at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre in Penrith. This event celebrated the launch of the album, LA VIDA APASIONADA, an eight-part suite, March 23rd, 2025, on the Ambition Label (AMB 292). That very same week, the album attained number-one position in the ARIA classical/crossover charts.
Acclaimed Concerts and Airplay in 2025
Margaret Brandman and Mark Underwood, ‘Bach to Brandman and Beyond’ at St Alfege Church, Greenwich UK 1st November 2025.
During 2025, Margaret’s many concerts and airplay events included the following:
1- Vov Dylan Ensemble – LA VIDA APASIONADA album launch concert. JSPAC Penrith 26th of March
2- Silver Winds Ensemble – Bach to Brandman and Beyond, Mosman Art Gallery Grand Hall May 18th
3- Mirabilis Collective, performed As Blue as Turquoise Pearls, in Perth 29th June
4- Margaret Brandman and Mark Underwood presented Bach to Brandman and Beyond at St Alfege Church, Greenwich UK 1st November
5- Ovidiu Marinescu and Carl Cranmer – Bossa Sonora – Carnegie Hall New York 11th of November
Concerts in 2024
1- Hooked on Flutes, performed three Zodiac works plus Bossa Sonora from the La Vida Suite 13th April Greenwich UK
2- Mirabilis Collective, performed As Blue as Turquoise Pearls, in Perth 16th June
3- Beecroft Orchestra premiere performance of Fiesta de la Luz,’ 22nd September
Concerts in 2023
1- The Century of Australiana Concert presented by FAMS Musical Society on the 25th of June: Margaret was the featured composer. She was invited to introduce her five songs with Australian themes, perform her Tango Apasionada piano solo, and accompany two of the singers.
2- International concerts in Amsterdam 9th and 10th of September: Two concerts of her compositions for voice, violin, and piano were presented with Soprano Elisabeth van der Gulik, and violinist Leon Bartlesman. Margaret performed as soloist and piano associate for the concerts.
Enjoy Margaret’s Playlists, including recordings of orchestral performances as well as works for cello and woodwinds.
Visit her website’s Performance and Recordings page to explore more of Margaret’s outstanding works.
Margaret’s Unique Contributions to Music Education
Throughout her career, Margaret has made numerous innovative and highly valuable contributions to music education for all age groups.
In her music instruction books and closely related aural courses, Margaret introduces a streamlined interval methodology. Her terminology is aligned with common physical kinetic activity, such as Step, Skip, or Jump. This innovative interval design enables students to realize the direct connection of the aural, visual, and tactile components of music.
This unique teaching approach guides the student and performer in reading the fluid movement of the music. At the same time, they can determine interval distances as hand placements while hearing each sound played.
Emboldened to sing pitches with the aid of this simplified language before playing and while playing, their comprehension of the notation and aural element of the music unites. This method incorporates color-coding throughout to support a full understanding of numerous topics.
Margaret’s Educational Series: ‘Contemporary Piano Method’
Books included in Margaret Brandman’s ‘Contemporary Piano Method’ series are the following:
1- Contemporary Piano Method, Junior Primer
2- Contemporary Piano Method, book 1A
3- Contemporary Piano Method, book 2B
4- Contemporary Piano Method, book 4
Margaret’s books are of great benefit to beginning learners as well as to those at tertiary levels. These books are to be used in combination with Margaret’s Theory and Aural publications.
Discover more about this outstanding holistic series that introduces a simplified interval method by visiting Margaret’s professional website.
Major Recordings by Composer and Pianist
Recordings by this acclaimed composer and concert pianist include the following:
1- Resurgence Vol 2 – New Works For Cello & Piano
Bossa Sonora appears as Track 1. (nv6729)
2- La Vida Apasionada – Suite For Violin And Piano
Available for streaming here: https://gig-alliance.com/artist/margaret-brandman/
3- Binna Burra Dreaming – Six Works For Cello With Piano
4- Songs of Love and Desire
Song Cycle: Music by Margaret Brandman and Lyrics by Désirée Regina. Performed by Margaret Brandman (piano) and Désirée Regina (soprano).
5- Sensations – Wind, Waves, Birds & Fire
Margaret’s orchestral works include Firestorm Symphony, winner of the Best Foreign Composition Award at the Artemis Film Festival, Los Angeles, CA, 2019. This celebrated work is included on her album, Sensations – Wind, Waves, Birds & Fire (nv 6041).
6- Cosmic Wheel Of The Zodiac – A Song Cycle For The Twelve Signs Of The Zodiac
Music by Margaret Brandman and Lyrics by Astropoet, Benita Rainer. (nv6160)
7- Polarities Vol 2 – Includes Spirit Visions (for orchestra) as Track 1.
The Parma Recordings’ promotional video for Polarities Vol 2, (nv6353) features a section of Margaret Brandman’s orchestral work SPIRIT VISIONS, which appears as Track 1 on the album.
In 2021, Margaret Brandman won the Best Foreign Composer Award for her Spirit Visions Symphonic Tone Poem from the Artemis Film Festival. This was the second time in her acclaimed career that she received this Award.
8- Symphonic Chronicles Vol 2 – From Parma Recordings
The Parma Recordings’ promotional video for Symphonic Chronicles Vol 2, features a section of Margaret Brandman’s orchestral work GENTLE SUMMER RAIN, which appears as Track 5 on the album.
Review a complete listing of Margaret’s recordings on her website, Margaret Brandman Music.
Creative Synchronicity of Ultimate Value and Validity
In her worldwide travels, Margaret frequently meets individuals who experience an immediate affinity with elements and qualities of her compositions and performances. Dynamic rhythms, subtle tonalities, and deep, innate emotions in her music may form powerful connections and bonds with significant moments, feelings, and occurrences in their lives. These strong creative bonds are primarily due to the pure, natural structure, components, and artistry of Margaret’s music.
Specific thoughts, actions, or incidents in the lives of her audience members may also be closely aligned with elements and occurrences in Margaret’s active lifestyle. These creative connections are evidence of artistic synchronicity at its very best. Composer/musician and fine arts lovers share enlightening, empowering, and enduring universal principles and truths through music.
Anyone who has the great fortune of attending a performance of works by Margaret Brandman experiences a rare gift of pure and naturally brilliant creative artistry.
Resurgence Vol 2: Composers and Musicians
Margaret Brandman: Acclaimed Composer, Pianist, Arranger, Author, Educator, and Recording Artist
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