Doublereed Archive - Posting 000086.txt from 2007/03

From: "HAROLD" <harold@-----.br>
Subj: [DR-L] chorinho
Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2007 12:01:15 -0400

Dear Lists:
Am wondering if anything equal to what is called in Brazil a "Roda do
chorinho"--or round of chorinho playing--exists in your part of the woods:
At a simpatico restaurant, a group of guitars,as well as mandolin-like and
ukelele -like type of Brazilian instruments called cavaquinos as well as
tambourines and even a small bass drum or tambore are seated around a table
playing the traditional songs of this lovely musical form(which is even
lovelier to my ears in this age of rap and other pretenders to musical
forms)
The major composer of this art form was Pixinguinha,a flautist and
saxophonist who somewhat resembled Louis Satchmo Armstrong but was taller
and didn't have a raspy voice.When Stokowski and his All American orchestra
visited Rio de Janerio in the 1940s it's said that he played for the Maestro
,who was impressed by Pixinguinha's musical genius.
The music,songs for Chorinhos usually have a good story behind it: like
"Naquele Tempo"(in those days) and 1-0 ,the score of a soccer game which
caused heart murmurs to many Brazilians or the most famous choro of
all"Carinhoso"(Loveable). Most of the standards are so well known that many
in the crowd may even sing along.
Not to say that technically chorinhos are easy--try "The Flight of the
Fly" (Voo da Mosca),which I heard at the Greensboro IDRS played flawlessly
by our jazz bassoonist from SFrancisco.
Having participated in all kinds of musical experiences in this lifetime
from a dance band,to symphony orchestra to a bAROQUE ensemble,I entered this
magical world many years ago as the gringo oboist sitting in and got to love
it so much to alleviate tensions from the "real "problems of over-tense
orchestral world as well as the real world .The chorinho world also reminded
me that I had entered music to have fun . And sitting around with a group of
instrumentalists ,drinking draft beer and playing the "öld" tunes once again
is indeed a good way to enjoy music again.

Recordings:Janet Grice has put the bassoon into the chorinho and I
myself have recorded a CD entitled an" Oboe in the Choro" including my own
ditty"Dial 190 and call the Police hwo never come!"
Any comments or queries always welcome.

Best wishes,

Harold Emert
Rio de Janeiro -Brazil

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