Sebastião Viana

Origin

Rio Branco, MG

Years active

1933–2001

Genres

choro, tango, classical, popular music

Instruments

flute, accordion, piano

Biography

Sebastião Viana was a distinguished Brazilian maestro, composer, and multi-instrumentalist, born on February 27, 1915, in Rio Branco, Minas Gerais. His musical journey began with Hostílio Soares, who not only taught him music but also introduced him to yoga, philosophy, and gymnastics. Viana's early life was marked by a strong connection to music, even forming a family orchestra with his siblings. His formal musical education led him to Belo Horizonte, where he studied at the Conservatório Mineiro de Música and later at the Escola de Música da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, excelling in flute, harmony, composition, and conducting.

Viana's career trajectory included significant roles in various musical institutions. He served as an assistant and reviser to the renowned composer Heitor Villa-Lobos from 1946 to 1950, a period that also saw him teaching music to Luiz Gonzaga, the "King of Baião." Viana's leadership extended to directing the music service of the Military Police of Minas Gerais, where he organized symphony and music bands. He also conducted the Sociedade Mineira de Concertos Sinfônicos for a decade and served as director of the Escola de Música da UFMG for two years.

In 2001, at the age of 84, Sebastião Viana released his first CD, "Tudo foi um sonho," an anthology of his chorinhos and tangos, performed by his family members, including his son Marcus Viana. His extensive contributions to Brazilian music, spanning classical and popular genres, solidified his legacy as a versatile and influential figure. Viana passed away on April 18, 2009, in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais.