Wednesday, January 30, 2008

The Sound of Rio


If you haven't seen it yet, do it. The musical documentary "The Sound of Rio: Brasileirinho" is a great present from Mika Kaurismäki to those who have a passion for "choro", a typical Brazilian style of music. "Choro" or "chorinho" was originated in Rio de Janeiro in the 19th century and has its roots in European ballroom dance music - like waltz and polka - and African rhythms.

The documentary "The Sound of Rio: Brasileirinho" tells a little bit of the history of "choro" but the great thing about this movie are the performances by great names of the current generation of "choro" musicians, like the clarinet and saxophone virtuoso Paulo Moura, the percussionist Marcos Suzano, the Trio Madeira Brasil, the guitar player Yamandú Costa, among others. I had the opportunity to see Yamandú in a concert in Brazil. He is a genius!

If you live in the US, "The Sound of Rio" can be rented at Netflix. If you want to buy the DVD, you can do it at the Milan Records website. Now, if you can't wait to know a little bit more about "chorinho", check this video I have found in YouTube. It is a documentary with Conjunto Época de Ouro, Pixinguinha, Altamiro Carrilho, Jacob do Bandolim, entre outros. If you know Portuguese, you will be able to understand the history told in this movie. If not, just enjoy the music. And if you want to learn Portuguese to see this and other Brazilian movies, I am starting my new blog: Brazilian Portuguese Class. Check it out! And tell me what you think about it!