Biography
Gastão Lamounier composed both sacred works and popular songs that found their way onto recordings by Sílvio Caldas, Carlos Galhardo, Orlando Silveira, Mário de Azevedo, Paulo Sérgio, and additional performers. A radio professional as well, he originated the first youth-oriented program broadcast on Brazilian radio. Following the turn of the century, he relocated with his family to Rio de Janeiro and completed a law degree there in 1919. Although he had taken piano instruction from the widow of Alberto Nepomuceno, Lamounier reserved his focus on classical and sacred repertoire until his later years. Popular music occupied the greater part of his career; his radio involvement started after an invitation from Albênzio Perrone in 1929. That same year Gastão Formenti achieved success with the tangos “Renúncia” and “Arrependimento,” the latter written with Olegário Mariano. Appointed artistic director of Rádio Educadora, Formenti held the post for a decade and created the first juvenile program on Brazilian radio. Sílvio Caldas enjoyed success with the valses “Há Um Segredo Em Teus Cabelos,” penned with Osvaldo Santiago, and “Só Nós Dois,” written with Anuar Jorge. In 1937 Carlos Galhardo recorded the valse “E O Destino Desfolhou” with Mário Rossi to favorable reception; Paulo Sérgio later re-recorded the piece in the 1970s. Albênzio Perrone also recorded “Suave Poema de Amor” with Mário Rossi. In 1938 Perrone cut two further numbers composed jointly with Lamounier, “Apoteose de Estrelas” and “Por Amor Ao Meu Amor.” After earlier engagements at various stations, Lamounier joined the staff of Rádio Nacional in 1945.