Composer, pianist, arranger, and teacher. Born in Vitória in 1936, Carlos Cruz began his musical studies under the orientation of his father, Clóvis Cruz. In 1957 he relocated to Rio de Janeiro, where he studied at the Seminário de Música da Pró-Arte with Hans Graff (piano), Esther Scliar (theory), and Roberto Schnorrenberg (harmony). From 1970 onwards, he studied composition with Guerra-Peixe. Although he spent most of his creative life in Rio de Janeiro, Cruz never forgot his native city. In 1979 he won the competition to write the official hymn for the city, and in 1980 another of his works—the Sonatina for piano--received first prize in the First Festival de Música Capixaba. In 1994, his Intervalos for saxophone quartet represented Brazil in the Ukraine International Festival in Kiev. His compositions have been heard in several national and international festivals and biennials. His output includes works for orchestra, chorus, percussion ensemble, piano, flute and clarinet, flute and bassoon, violin, guitar, harp, harmonic, and several didactic pieces.

Selected Works

• Gravuras de Debret, for piano (1995)
• Instantes sonoros, for piano (1999)
• Intervalos, for string quartet or string orchestra (1974)
• Sonatina, for piano (1973)
• Intervalos, for string orchestra or string quartet (1974)
• Mestre Vitalino, suite for children string orchestra (1983)
• Suite em Três Movimentos, for string orchestra (1973) [Real Player] [Quicktime]