About this work:
Commissioned by Jonathan Singer.
Program note Prelúdios … comidas típicas brasileiras for solo marimba is about food – Brazilian food. Having lived in Brazil during my teens, Brazilian culture is indelibly a part of my life. Everything about Brazil is quite miraculous: the music, the food, the language, the people, etc.
The work is in four movements.
I. Salpicão … Baião saboroso
II. Acarajé … Valsa adoçada
III. Moqueca … Tango apimentado
IV. Beijinho de coco … Sambinha delicioso
Formally, the work could be conceived as a four-course meal at a Brazilian restaurant. The first course is Salpicão – a salad with chicken, ham, peas, apple, heart of palm, carrots, shoestring potato fries and mayonnaise. Baião saboroso means savory Baião, a form of dance music from the Brazilian Northeast. The second course is Acarajé – a deep-fried dough made of black-eyed peas. Valsa adoçada means a sweet waltz. The third course is Moqueca – a fish stew made with coconut milk, tomato sauce, lime juice and hot pepper sauce. Tango apimentado means spicy tango. The last course is Beijinho de coco – a dessert made of sweetened condensed milk, grated coconut, egg yolks and coconut milk. Sambinha delicioso means delicious little samba. Bom apetite!!!