Customer Reviews

Pixinguinha

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Pixinguinha was the stage name of Alfredo Da Rocha Viana Filho (1879-1973), a composer, arranger and performer who was considered Brazil's greatest composer of "choros" the popular Brazilian street music. He composed most of his best-known tunes in the 1920s and '30s.
This recording is a live concert devoted to the music of Pixinguinha performed by clarinetist Paulo Moura and an octet called Os Batutas, which is pretty hot--Moura is a terrific technician and they play some of these pieces faster than you'll ever hear anywhere. One could sometimes wish that Moura paid maybe a little more attention to intonation, or at least played on a reed that was less than 20 years old, but it's clear that everybody's having a good time.

OK, you've come this far in checking out this album. Do yourself a favor and just buy it! The melodies are gorgeous with exotically insinuating hooks and turns throughout. Rhythmically this is as exciting and toe tapping as choro gets. Moura has surpassed himself with this album. His tone is so dark, resonant and alive that it becomes a prototype of the ultimate clarinet tone. If you already like Moura or Pixinguinha please understand that this album is simply essential. If you have no idea about this music, but you have come this far, than you are on to something great: The best of Brazilian Choro.

I like to play choro, am not a clarinet player so can't comment on Moura's technical issues, but I will say that this CD has it's absolute brilliant moments. If you ever wondered what it might have been like to hear the original songs played in the 20's with better recording gear, this might be as close as we get. Crazy wild versions, like a very different version of Cochichando. Well worth supporting these Brazilian artists. Long live Pixinguinha, and I hope that American audiences get more familiar with his tunes!

I recently became familiar with Pixinguinha through a youtube video of a current performance of his work. I fell in love with the harmonic/melodic/rhythmic sophistication and fire. And also a strange combination of pathos and joy that pervades the music. I love this particular recording for all those reasons, and for the incredible musicianship, relaxed yet precise. There is an acoustic instrument that sounds like a guitar that runs from the bass guitar register up through the tenor guitar register; and the clarinet in the "chalimeaux" range is one of my favorite sounds in the world. I think music like this captures all the best qualities of jazz, african, south american, and european strains, deep and sexy.

Get it!

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