• In early 1986, shortly before turning 80, Radamés suffered a serious stroke. The months that follow are intense therapy for his rehabilitation. A diligent student, Radamés gradually recovers part of his movements, the mastery of speech and writing. By October, the conductor is already studying the piano for several hours a day, making surprising progress. The members of Sexteto Radamés Gnattali[1] get excited, start preparations for the concert that would mark the return of their companion. However, what everyone feared happens again. At the end of that year, Radamés suffered a second stroke, with much more serious consequences.
• Radamés is honored in a special session at MAM (Museum of Modern Art) for his 80th birthday. Bedridden, Radames cannot attend. The following musicians participate in the tribute: Clara Sverner, Joel Nascimento, Paulo Moura, Laís de Souza Brasil, Lenir Siqueira, Paulinho da Viola, Chiquinho do Acordeon, Claudia Savaget, Aluísio Didier, Luiz Otávio Braga, Maurício Carrilho, among others.

• During a concert in the capital of São Paulo, the City Council of São Paulo pays tribute to Radamés’ 80th birthday, offering him a medal and the title of Citizen Emeritus of the city.
• On May 14, at the Teatro São Pedro in Porto Alegre (RS), sponsored by BASF, a concert in honor of the 80 years of two Brazilian composers: Radamés Gnattali and Waldemar Henrique. From Radamés are presented, in the first hearing, theConcerto para bandolim e orquestra de cordas (1985), with Joel Nascimento as a soloist (to whom the work was dedicated), and the Suíte Antiga para cordas (1973), with the Blumenau Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Norton Morozowicz. That same year, the sponsoring company launches the 6th volume of the Discos de Cultura da BASF: “80 anos de música brasileira“. In the repertoires, the works performed in the concert.

O Globo (RJ), 26/06/1986 >
Por Zito Baptista Filho

• In a decree of June 24, the Governor of the State of Rio Grande do Sul granted Radamés Gnattali the Medalha Simões Lopes Neto as “recognition from the community of Rio Grande do Sul to citizens who have stood out for their exceptional performance in the field of culture, arts, letters, sciences, (…).”
• Radamés Gnattali é homenageado no programa Contraluz, da TVE, (gravado em 1985), dirigido e apresentado por Hermínio Bello de Carvalho. No trecho a seguir, com a participação do Quinteto Radamés Gnattali [2].

• The Petrobras Pró-Música Symphony Orchestra (currently Petrobras Symphony Orchestra) is created in Rio de Janeiro, founded by conductor Armando Prazeres, its principal conductor and artistic director until 1999.
• The composer, pianist and conductor Francisco Mignone, one of the greatest names in Brazilian classical music of the 20th century, dies in Rio de Janeiro (RJ), at the age of 88.