Product Description
Paraguaçu is a captivating composition by Chiquinha Gonzaga (18471935), a pioneering figure in Brazilian music. This piece exemplifies her innovative fusion of European musical forms with Afro-Brazilian rhythms, contributing significantly to the evolution of Brazilian popular music.
Musical Characteristics
Paraguaçu is identified as a habanera-choro, blending the slow, syncopated rhythm of the habanera with the improvisational and melodic elements of choro. Originally composed for piano, it was later adapted for saxophone and flute, reflecting its versatility and appeal across different musical settings. The piece is part of the Alma Brasileira series, published in 1932, which marked a significant moment in Gonzaga's career, as she began to label her compositions explicitly as choros .Chiquinha Gonzaga+2Chiquinha Gonzaga+2Chiquinha Gonzaga+2
Performance and Interpretation
Paraguaçu has been recorded by various artists, including a notable 1999 rendition by Talitha Peres (piano), Henrique Cazes (cavaquinho), Marcelo Gonçalves (violão), and Beto Cazes (pandeiro). This performance highlights the piece's rhythmic vitality and melodic richness, showcasing Gonzaga's ability to create music that is both technically engaging and emotionally expressive
This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard's global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.