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I haven’t seen the musical documentary Brasileirinho by Finnish director Mika Kaurismaki which features concert performances by many of the greatest luminaries of Brazilian choro music. I did read a brief review of the film by a SMH journalist that made a disparaging comment that it required “too much knowledge”, but really ….is taste, an appreciation of melody, rhythms, instruments and musical virtuosity too much of an ask? Because judging by this recording, just seeing these wonderful performances should be more than enough.
Choro which means “weeping” in Portuguese is the quintessential Brazilian urban music developing whilst predating and indelibly influencing samba from European, Cuban and African elements at the turn of the 19th century. It has been called the Brazilian jazz and while there are certainly similarities, choro emphasises ensemble interplay, interpretation and often mind-boggling virtuosity over improvisation. In the music the listener may hear strains of Portuguese fado, classical music, samba or jazz melded into a Brazilian pot and stewed for over a century. Still nothing goes to explain the extraordinary vitality with which the musicians which include the great saxophonist Paulo Moura, the impossibly virtuosic violao (Portuguese guitar) player Yamandu Costa, Trio Madeira and many others perform here.
Brasileirinho is essentially instrumental although there are a few excellent vocal numbers as well. Long-time fans of Brazilian music will recognise several classic themes recast as if forged yesterday, such as those cavaquinho-legend Jacob Do Bandolim. A polyphonic joy between brass, woodwind, flute, string and percussion seems to permeate everything here making this one of the most enjoyable recordings I’ve heard from anywhere this century. I’ll mention one track that seems to embody almost magical qualities for me, the beautiful Carinhoso, a solo violao piece by Yamandu Costa. The contrast between the gentle intoning of the theme by the audience and Yamandu’s powerful interpretations is simply spell-binding. Brasileirinho is absolutely essential listening. Richard Jasiutowicz
