• In commemoration of his fiftieth birthday, Radamés Gnattali is honored at Rádio Nacional with a big party and a concert with works by him, as well as the inauguration of a studio named after him.

Radamés conducting the Rádio Nacional orchestra. From left to right, you see announcer Cesar Ladeira, Garoto (with his cavaquinho), and guitarists José Menezes and Bola Sete. Beside the piano, announcer Aurelio de Andrade. (Photo: MIS File)

• First world premiere of
  Popular Symphony
  [nº 1] at the Theatro Municipal de São Paulo, with the Municipal Orchestra conducted by Armando Belardi, and then at the Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro, with the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra conducted by Leo Peracchi.

• Rádio Nacional reintroduces the program
  Songbook
  Royal
  with script by Paulo Tapajó and arrangements and conducting by Radamés Gnattali. The program presents aspects of Brazilian popular and folk music [1].
• In September, Rádio Nacional celebrates its 20th anniversary with a big gala, holding the
  Brazilian Music Festival
  at the Theatro Municipal in Rio de Janeiro, with general direction by Paulo Tapajós. The program features the participation of the Rádio Nacional Orchestra and Choir and its great cast of singers, announcers, and solo musicians, such as Jacob do Bandolim, José Menezes, Raul de Barros, Abel Ferreira, and Chiquinho do Acordeom, among others, with arrangements by Radamés Gnattali and conducting by Radamés and Romeu Ghipsman.

• Radamés records on Continental
  Brazilian popular suite for electric guitar and piano
  (1953), written by him. The recording is made in play-back (a technical resource that had just debuted in Brazil); Radamés records the piano in Rio de Janeiro and the tape is sent to the United States, so that Laurindo Almeida (to whom the piece is dedicated) can overdub the guitar part.

• The recording company Continental releases Radamés’ choro
  Chat for three voices
  performed by Radamés (piano), Pedro Vidal (bass) and Luciano Perrone (drums).
• Radamés composes:
  • Brasiliana n° 7 for tenor saxophone and piano – dedicated to saxophonist Sandoval de Oliveira Dias
  • Brasiliana nº 8 for two pianos
  • 
    Concertino
    [nº 1] for harmonica and chamber orchestra – dedicated to Edu da Gaita

• • 
    Retratos, for mandolin soloist, choro ensemble and string orchestra
    [2] – dedicated to Jacob do Bandolim
  • 
    Popular Symphony
    [nº 1]
    for large orchestra
    

• The play Orfeu do Carnaval, by Vinicius de Moraes, premieres at the Theatro Municipal in Rio de Janeiro, directed by Leo Jusi. The piece marks the beginning of the partnership between Antônio Carlos Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes.

• João Guimarães Rosa writes Grande Sertão: Veredas.
• Juscelino Kubitschek takes office as President of the Republic. Based on his Target Plan, he undertakes several developmental achievements. One of them is the transfer of the federal capital to Brasília.