Chora Berlim

Description

Choro is the first authentic urban Brazilian musical genre, existing since the end of the XIX century. In the last century, after several declines and revivals in Brazil, it spread to other countries and can now be heard on almost every continent. It is a unique blend of European classical and salon music with African rhythms. Choro is also a way of life. Members of different communities visit each other to participate in roda (jam sessions around a table), which contribute to an intense cultural and personal exchange. Roda is usually a highly democratic event where there is no competition. Sometimes big names play with beginners, and everyone is treated equally. If you enjoy playing in a roda, you probably have a healthy ego. A true chorao (choro player) goes to the roda not to show off, but to be part of the group.
Although it is mostly traditional Brazilian repertoire that is played in a roda, modern choros can also be heard, and - who knows? - maybe soon some choros from Germany as well! That's why we have created a fake book including all the compositions on this album. Give it a try!
The concept for the album and most of the compositions belong to Germain-Ukrainian singer and composer Rosa Morena Russa (Kateryna Ostrovska), also one of the founders of Rodas Hamburguesas de Choro. Her companion on the other side of the ocean for this project is guitarist and sound engineer Joao Ferraz, who produced the album and did most of the recording, mixing and mastering.
The beautiful bandolim (mandolin) sound is conjured by the great Luis Barcelos, who also wrote the arrangements for "Sagladinha" and "Matze, meu amigo". The arrangement of "Luar nas ondas" as well as the editing of the fakebook was done by Lucas Porto. The bridge to the Eastern European musical tradition is the song "Rancho dos tres pelicanos", arranged and played by one of Germany's top Klezmer musicians, Christian Dawid.