| The association of two instrumentalists with careers so different and, at the same time, so extensive, resulted in nothing but in a record rich in peculiar sonorities and plural references. This is the case of the album Andrea Ernest Dias and Tomás Improta – Flauta e Piano (Andrea Ernest Dias and Tomás Improta – Flute and Piano), which registers the musical partnership of flutist Andrea, raised among chamber orchestras and choro rings, with pianist Tomás Improta, graduated in jazz and in MPB (Brazilian Popular Music).
“Our association took place only recently, after having been invited to present a concert together, In Rio. We selected the repertory for that concert, and putting it in a record was a natural consequence”, says Andrea, one of the most celebrated instrumentalists in this country, and that, for the first time, subscribes a work of her own.
MPB, of course, is the key note in this record. It is partially represented by fine pieces composed by supreme masters. From Tom Jobim (in partnership with Billy Blanco) comes Esperança perdida (Lost hope). Among the choro masters, come Pixinguinha (Só pra mim – Only for me), Jacob do Bandolim (Cristal – Crystal), and Garoto (Meditando – Musing).
“We picked compositions seldom recorded. Tom´s song is virtually unknown even to fans of bossa nova. We created an atmosphere resembling that of “new age”. Pixinguinha could not be left out. We opted for a tango time, different from that of traditional choro. Jacob´s piece, recorded in only one take, opens this CD, which is marked also by amazing improvisations”, explains Andrea.
Among the highlights are Choro Bandido (Bandit Choro), by Edu Lobo and Chico Buarque, and Coisa número 9 (Thing number 9), by Moacir Santos. “I became acquainted with with Moacir´s works after listening to the record Ouro Negro (Black Gold). In the above track, I use grave flutes with a characteristic timbre. Tomás created an arrangement in 12 by 8, which Moacir listened to and approved. There is a quasi percussive element in the arrangement”, considers Andrea.
From French impressionism to a classic of American music, passing by a Brazilian serenade, Andrea and Tomás present Après un rêve, by Gabriel Fauré, So in love, by Cole Porter, and Saudades da minha vida (What I miss in my life), by Villa-Lobos. “Faurè´s composition was originally composed for voice and piano. I have known it since I was a child, through my father. Cole Porter is one of the greatest composers of all times and places. Villa created tens of serenades for voice and piano, virtually unknown and seldom published. We wrote an arrangement for one of them, using flute instead of voice” - reports Improta. |
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