A Fantástica Viola de Renato Andrade
Renato Andrade
1977
Why This Album Matters
Released in 1977, A Fantástica Viola de Renato Andrade is a fundamental landmark in the history of Brazilian instrumental music, notably for elevating the viola caipira to a level of solo prominence. The album presents the viola not merely as an accompanying instrument, but as a main voice capable of expressing complexity and virtuosity, something innovative for the time. Renato Andrade, with his refined and unique technique, demonstrates a fusion of erudite and popular elements. He expands the sonic possibilities of the viola, transposing the richness of concertos and orchestral compositions onto the instrument, while simultaneously maintaining the essence of rural sound. This work is a masterful demonstration of how the viola caipira can be a vehicle for entire musical narratives, building soundscapes without the need for vocals.
Context
Before A Fantástica Viola de Renato Andrade, the Minas Gerais viola player had already dedicated years to music, initially studying violin with Flausino Rodrigues Vale in Belo Horizonte. Upon returning to his hometown, Abaeté, MG, he fell in love with the viola caipira and began to develop his own technique, moving away from the violin. In the 1970s, Renato Andrade moved to Rio de Janeiro, where his artistic career began to take shape. He had significant involvement in Schubert Magalhães' film "Corpo Fechado", composing the music and acting as a supporting character. During this period, he met great composers such as Guerra-Peixe and Edino Krieger, who encouraged him to explore the capabilities of the viola caipira, an instrument that, in the metropolises, was still predominantly associated with traditional folk and caipira music.
Recording
The album A Fantástica Viola de Renato Andrade was released in 1977 by the Chantecler record label. On the album covers and labels, the full title appears as "A Fantástica Viola De Renato Andrade Na Música Armorial Mineira", connecting the work to the cultural movement that sought to value the popular and erudite roots of the Northeast, but here applied to the artist's Minas Gerais strand. The LP's liner notes were written by maestro Guerra-Peixe, one of the great enthusiasts of Renato Andrade's work, who recognised the originality and virtuosity of the viola player. The album is predominantly instrumental, with the solo viola being the main focus, sometimes subtly accompanied by a classical guitar.
Songs
All fourteen tracks on A Fantástica Viola de Renato Andrade are original compositions by the viola player himself, including "Seriema no campo", "Prelúdio da inhuma", "Literatura do cordel", "Sagarana", "Bailado catrumano", "Sinhá e o diabo", "Relógio da fazenda", "Viola e suas variações", "Folia de Reis", "O jeca na estrada", "Mutirão", "Casamento na roça", "Amor caipira", and "Corpo fechado". The works are structured to allow the viola caipira to tell the complete story, acting as a self-sufficient instrument. Renato Andrade's compositions frequently evoke the soundscapes of Minas Gerais and passages from literary works, such as the books of Guimarães Rosa, translating the Minas Gerais cerrado and the São Francisco river into melodies and harmonies. His technique is notable for the use of multiple fingers on the right hand to pluck the viola, an approach that approaches the technique of the classical guitar and differs from the more common viola caipira style of the time, which mainly used two fingers. This virtuosity allowed him to explore different tunings, such as cebolão, rio abaixo, and de guitarra, and create fast, complex passages, rich in harmonics.
Legacy
A Fantástica Viola de Renato Andrade is widely considered the 'foundational landmark' of modern solo viola playing, redefining the instrument's role in Brazilian music and inspiring a new generation of viola players. The reception of the work consolidated Renato Andrade's reputation as one of the greatest masters of instrumental viola caipira, paving the way for the instrument to be recognised and appreciated in concert halls in Brazil and abroad. His innovative approach influenced names such as Almir Sater, Chico Lobo, and Ivan Vilela, who followed paths of viola exploration in less traditional contexts. Renato Andrade undertook international tours sponsored by Itamaraty between 1978 and 1983, taking the viola caipira to 36 countries in the United States, Asia, and Africa, consolidating the viola as a concert instrument and an ambassadress of Brazilian culture. His work masterfully blended the popular and the erudite, breaking down barriers and showcasing the versatility and depth of the viola caipira.
Rankings
Tracks
Credits
César Guerra-Peixe
Books
Analyses
Renato Andrade - A Fantástica Viola De Renato Andrade (1977)
toque-musicall.com
Temos então o primeiro disco de Renato que eu, confesso, não conhecia. Porém, do pouco que ouvi, posso afirmar: é fantástico! Estranhei a quantidade de músicas. Algumas são do álbum "Viola de Queluz". Seria um ;lp duplo? Não, apenas bonus extras, não é mesmo Giovanni?
Renato Andrade - A Fantástica Viola De Renato Andrade - OUVIR MÚSICA
ouvirmusica.com.br
Venha ouvir "Seriema No Campo", "Prelúdio da Inhuma", "Literatura do Cordel" e muitas outras músicas do álbum Renato Andrade - A Fantástica Viola De Renato Andrade!
Mestre Renato Andrade - a Fantástica Viola De Renato Andrade - 1977
cantosagradodaterra2.blogspot.com
sábado, 20 de setembro de 2014 MESTRE RENATO ANDRADE - A FANTÁSTICA VIOLA DE RENATO ANDRADE - 1977 ... BAIXE ESSE CANTO SAGRADO: CANTO SAGRADO Postado por TERRA BRASILIS 2 às
LP Renato Andrade - A Fantástica Viola De Renato Andrade (1977)
velvetdiscos.com.br
Início / LPs / MPB/Samba/Bossa / LP Renato Andrade - A Fantástica Viola De Renato Andrade (1977) Formato: 12'' Selo: Chantecler Encarte: Não Estado do Disco: VG: Very Good/ Muito Bom Estado da Capa: VG: Very Good/ Muito Bom (Vide Foto)
Discogs
A Fantástica Viola de Renato Andrade – Discogs
discogs.com