Search - Various Artists :: Noites Cariocas

Giants of choro recorded live in Rio

david morris-johnson | 01/09/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Choro is to Brazil what jazz and ragtime are to North America, and actually predates both the latter, flourishing from the 1870s until superseded by samba in the early C20. It has enjoyed a recent renaissance among Brazilian musicians, from which this album emerges as probably the finest example.The recording captures two live concerts at Rio's Municipal Theatre in 1987 and 88, and features performances from musicians such as Paulinho da Viola (cavaquinho), Chiquinho (accordeon) and Paulo Moura (clarinet) in a unique ensemble.Choro masterpieces by Pixinguinha and Jacob Bittencourt appear alongside interpretations of classical orchestral composers Villa-Lobos (in an innovative reworking of the 5th Bachiana) and Gnattali (a superb 'Chiquinha Gonzaga'), together with contemporary compositions by Paulinho da Viola himself.The pace varies from slow waltz to fast and furious, but every track demonstrates both individual virtuosity and collective improvisation. This is choro at its finest, by the finest musicians in Brazil.Sound quality is good, considering it's been remastered from analogue recordings of live performances. But it's the musicians' love for their performance (evident in the audience's reception) which makes this disk special."