The purpose of this study is to discuss the use of Brazilian nationalistic elements in select orchestral literature of Camargo Guarnieri, the only Brazilian composer to establish a nationalist composition school in Brazil. A faithful follower of Mario de Andrade, a Brazilian poet, writer, critic, and musician, who defined the parameters of authentic nationalistic writing in Brazil, Guarnieri is regarded by many scholars as the composer who best personifies Andrade's principles in a compositional style. This study of his music reveals a complete domain of established compositional techniques and a refined use of nationalist elements.

This document in divided into five chapters. Chapter 1 provides an introduction which is inclusive of background material, the need for the study, purpose, procedure, and review of related literature. Chapter 2 establishes a historical background that places Guarnieri at the highest point in the history of Brazilian music nationalism. His courageous efforts to defend the nationalist school through his Open Letter to Musicians and Critics of Brazil and the influence resulting from his act are also discussed. Chapter 3 presents a study of the nationalist compositional style of Guarnieri. Several smaller orchestral works are used to exemplify his use of nationalist elements. Chapter 4 is a detailed study of Dansa brasileira, Abertura concertante, and Abertura festiva. The approach to these pieces is not limited to the identification of Brazilian music elements. The cleverness of some of Guarnieri's compositional skills are explained and exemplified. The last chapter provides a conclusion that reveals a consistent style that was established early in his career and developed into a refined "Brazilianism" that avoids exoticism, one of the major points in Mario de Andrade's teachings.