Interrogando

João Teixeira Guimarães (1884 - 1947), more commonly known as João Pernambuco (from the province of Brazil in which he was born), was a popular Brazilian guitarist and composer of the early 20th century. His compositions were much admired by his friend and compatriot Heitor Villa-Lobos who was responsible for transcribing much of his work for posterity as Pernambuco himself had had no formal education. Interrogando (‘questioning’) dates from 1929/30 and is written in the style of a ‘Jongo’, a music and dance form originating in the African communities of South Eastern Brazil. In this piece, harmony and melody are so entwined that it becomes impossible to separate them and melody dances across the harmonic texture like a will-o’the-wisp, sometimes off the beat, and in a manner very reminiscent of Chopin. A beautiful work.