Opening of the Commemorations of the Centenary of Amalia Rodrigues (1920 – 2020) - Portuguese music selection

[gerardcarey]

To initiate the celebrations of the centenary of Amalia Rodrigues, the most famous of all fado singers, a seemingly ever increasing number of guitarists gather to perform in her honour.
For those of you who I know enjoy listening to some of these selections as background music while attending to your daily business, this nearly 1 hour performance should suit you just fine.

In the next selection we will start on fado and its singers, ok?

Perhaps one of our Portuguese speakers could translate for us what the professor at the start is saying.

 

[henrythedog]

To initiate the celebrations of the centenary of Amalia Rodrigues, the most famous of all fado singers, a seemingly ever increasing number of guitarists gather to perform in her honour.
For those of you who I know enjoy listening to some of these selections as background music while attending to your daily business, this nearly 1 hour performance should suit you just fine.

In the next selection we will start on fado and its singers, ok?

Perhaps one of our Portuguese speakers could translate for us what the professor at the start is saying.

Excellent. Amelia Rodrigues is a musical legend.

When you come to the present day, please give an honourable mention to Mariza.

 

[peregrina2000]

Perhaps one of our Portuguese speakers could translate for us what the professor at the start is saying.

As someone who struggles mightily with understanding Continental Portuguese, I gave it a try. But I have skipped the things I just can’t make out and have put in a mix of summary and direct translation.

“It’s very interesting for me to note that I am as old as Amalia (would be). In fact I’m five months older — my birthday is in February, hers in July. It’s very interesting — I like very much to talk about her. Especially on her 100th birthday. She was the best. I can’t imagine anyone better than Amalia. With her (as her accompanist for 29 years) I got to know the world. And now we can talk about her defects and her strong qualities. They make her one of the best of the whole world. She sang all kinds of music, such variety — French, Brazilian (she seemed to be Brazilian when she sang), Mexican (the “rancheras”), she was fantastic. In Spain, she even sang in Spanish better than the Spanish singers. Oh, yes, two fantastic pieces of music — Barco Negro and Cançao do Mar (Black Boat and Song of the Sea). With her rhythm, her guitars, she had an extraordinary force. (NOTE FROM ME — I keep hearing him say O Arco Negro, but I can’t find any song that she sang that has that title, but there is a very famous Amalia song, Barco Negro, so that’s what I’m assuming). They are exceptional pieces of music, they got the attention of the whole world.“

Then he plays a bit, hesitates and says I have never played this before. Then he plays again (a bit of Barco Negro) and says something like — careful, I don’t think my fingers have lost too much. But I never played this before.... then we fade into the more formal part

I did a little googling on the professor, Joel Pina, who died in February of this year, just before his 101st birthday. He accompanied Amalia for 30 years. The title “professor” was given to him by the many young musicians who learned from him. What a sweet face, may he rest in peace.

Here’s his biogaphy from the Museu do Fado.

I will have that on in the background this morning, thanks @gerardcarey

 

[lindam]

For those who enjoy Fado, I would highly recommend the documentary Fados, produced by the brillliant Carlos Saura:

. Not only does this film provide an interesting historical overview of fado and the variations within this style of music, but also it is captured in the signature cinematic style of Carlos Saura. It is also possible to purchase a soundtrack of this masterful production. I bought a copy many years ago when the film was first released and continue to enoy listening to it from time to time. As a new resident of Portugal, it may now have new meaning for me as I (hopefully) acquire some of the language.

 

[WalkingJane]

Excellent. Amelia Rodrigues is a musical legend.

When you come to the present day, please give an honourable mention to Mariza.

Thank you! I have been having saudades fir Portugal. (saudades hard to translate but something like strong nostalgia)

 

[gerardcarey]

Excellent. Amelia Rodrigues is a musical legend.

When you come to the present day, please give an honourable mention to Mariza.

I can assure you that will be the case.
Regards
Gerard

 

[gerardcarey]

As someone who struggles mightily with understanding Continental Portuguese, I gave it a try. But I have skipped the things I just can’t make out and have put in a mix of summary and direct translation.

“It’s very interesting for me to note that I am as old as Amalia (would be). In fact I’m five months older — my birthday is in February, hers in July. It’s very interesting — I like very much to talk about her. Especially on her 100th birthday. She was the best. I can’t imagine anyone better than Amalia. With her (as her accompanist for 29 years) I got to know the world. And now we can talk about her defects and her strong qualities. They make her one of the best of the whole world. She sang all kinds of music, such variety — French, Brazilian (she seemed to be Brazilian when she sang), Mexican (the “rancheras”), she was fantastic. In Spain, she even sang in Spanish better than the Spanish singers. Oh, yes, two fantastic pieces of music — Barco Negro and Cançao do Mar (Black Boat and Song of the Sea). With her rhythm, her guitars, she had an extraordinary force. (NOTE FROM ME — I keep hearing him say O Arco Negro, but I can’t find any song that she sang that has that title, but there is a very famous Amalia song, Barco Negro, so that’s what I’m assuming). They are exceptional pieces of music, they got the attention of the whole world.“

Then he plays a bit, hesitates and says I have never played this before. Then he plays again (a bit of Barco Negro) and says something like — careful, I don’t think my fingers have lost too much. But I never played this before.... then we fade into the more formal part

I did a little googling on the professor, Joel Pina, who died in February of this year, just before his 101st birthday. He accompanied Amalia for 30 years. The title “professor” was given to him by the many young musicians who learned from him. What a sweet face, may he rest in peace.

Here’s his biogaphy from the Museu do Fado.

I will have that on in the background this morning, thanks @gerardcarey

Excellent!
Thank you ever so much for your time spent in collecting and supplying the detail.
I couldn't have wished for more.
Regards
Gerard

 

[peregrina2000]

Excellent. Amelia Rodrigues is a musical legend.

When you come to the present day, please give an honourable mention to Mariza.

Did you know that Mariza’s most recent album is “Mariza sings Amalia?” I was supposed to go to her concert of that title on her US tour but Covid cancelled it.

 

[Rex]

Spent a blissful afternoon in the Fado Museo (it's only a block from the waterfront in Lisboa) in Sept. 2018. Worth every minute. Also, spent that same morning in the Museum of Tile (for which Portugal is also famous). That too was worth the time I spent, learning about more than just tile in the history and background of Lisboa.
Bom Caminho!

 

[peregrina2000]

And don’t forget you can also visit Amalia’s house in Lisbon! It’s near the Rato metro. When we were there, the house was still being maintained by someone who had worked for Amalia for years, and it felt as if the owner had just left the house for a trip to the grocery store. I’m assuming it will have lots going on during this centennial year, assuming covid protocols allow.

 

[WalkingJane]

Spent a blissful afternoon in the Fado Museo (it's only a block from the waterfront in Lisboa) in Sept. 2018. Worth every minute. Also, spent that same morning in the Museum of Tile (for which Portugal is also famous). That too was worth the time I spent, learning about more than just tile in the history and background of Lisboa.
Bom Caminho!

Oh, yes! I loved both of those museums. Just found it fascinating to be on the waterfront in the city from which Magellan et al set sail to 'discover' this part of the world. The city is a mix of very modern and very old.........