História do Choro

História do Choro is an ambitious, meticulous and well-executed journey through the history of an iconic Brazilian genre led by seven-string guitar duo Rogério Souza and Edinho Gerber accompanied by percussionist Ami Molinelli. The three musicians take us on a chronological journey through the sophisticated art music of Rio de Janeiro. They begin in 1872 with ‘Ali Babá’, a composition by Henrique Alves de Mesquita, and arrive in the present day with two original compositions: ‘Choro em Niterói’, a homage to Rio's sister city across Guanabara Bay, and the energetic highlight of the album, ‘Cecilia no Choro’. Arranged by Molinelli, the track features her virtuosic playing as she flits between 12/8 West African and Afro-Brazilian grooves on a variety of instruments. In between, the trio cover plenty of ground, featuring works by many of the best choro composers of the 20th century, including two from the beloved Pixinguinha, as well as others including Ernesto Nazareth, Jacob do Bandolim, and the legendary pianist and composer Chiquinha Gonzaga – a rare female figure in what has historically been a male-dominated domain. The excellent, detailed liner notes by history professor Bryan McCann provide the listener with the necessary contextual information to navigate this rich project.