THE MUSICAL POEMS

Phosphenes is one of the earliest projects in Pedro’s portfolio, originating during the creation of the serene piano tracks for Under Streetlight, his debut album and soundtrack. The journey began with the composition of “The Rowing Boat.” Initially intended to be part of the film score, Pedro decided instead to craft a series of piano pieces titled Musical Poems, each one designed to evoke a specific idea, theme, or landscape.

THE EARLY DAYS OF PHOSPHENES, OPUS 3

As the composition of these pieces progressed, the project title evolved into Phosphenes. The term "phosphenes" is defined as “a ring or spot of light produced by pressure on the eyeball or direct stimulation of the visual system other than by light,” which inspired Pedro to create an album of brief reveries, reminiscent of Prokofiev's Visions Fugitives.

However, the pieces in the set underwent many changes over the years, often merging into other projects. For example, two iconic melodies from Nocturnes, Op. 4—“A Desperate Prayer” and “Forever Dreaming”—originated from the early development of Phosphenes. Other pieces were either removed or became standalone works. “Party in the Sky,” for instance, was originally intended as the grand finale of the album but later evolved into its own separate piece.

SONG FOR WHITE BLOSSOMS

One of the first tracks composed, “White Blossoms,” inspired a short music video created with the help of Pedro’s university friends Xion-Lii and Joanna Csillag. This project exemplifies how these pieces can evoke vivid imagery, a nod to the visual phenomenon that inspired the album's title. The video also highlights the group's early sensitivity to film, a trait they would continue to develop throughout their university years.

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THE NEW PHOSPHENES, OPUS 7

In 2021, while preparing to move from London to São Paulo, Pedro began a small compositional exercise inspired by the opening piano part of Rachmaninoff’s 3rd Piano Concerto. Later completed during a three-month stay in Paris, this exercise evolved into the “Étude de Concert,” the first piano piece Pedro composed after a long period focused on orchestral music. Upon returning to São Paulo, memories of his friends and his time in Paris inspired a set of nostalgic pieces, which became Phosphenes Opus 7.

Starting with “Souvenir de Paris,” these pieces represent some of Pedro’s most refined and mature works for piano, blending advanced piano techniques with the mastery of counterpoint developed in his orchestral compositions. In many ways, these pieces feel orchestral in nature, as multiple voices interact within the pianist’s hands. When combined with Opus 3, Opus 7 marks the culmination of many years of growth and development, a journey beautifully encapsulated in these magical pieces.