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Book Catherine Bent for a groupmuse

Megabreve - Global String Duo


Details

Catherine Bent full profile / Cello and Violin / 2 musicians

Other players: Catherine Bent & Rob Flax


Full program notes

English-born cellist Catherine Bent, an alumna of Cirque du Soleil, has performed and recorded in diverse genres with artists including Joe Jackson, Lee Konitz, Enya, Donna Summer, and A. R. Rahman. Her love of Brazilian music—especially choro and forró—draws her continually to Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and the northeast of Brazil. A professor at Berklee College of Music, Catherine founded the Berklee Clube de Choro, and organizes roda de choro sessions to bring the conviviality of Rio nights to New England. www.youtube.com/CatherineBent


Historical context

Among other styles, Rob and Catherine play an instrumental style from urban Brazil called choro ("SHO-Roh").
Choro music arose in 19th century Rio de Janeiro from the union of West African rhythms and dances (principally the lundu), and European popular dance (including polka, schottisch and waltz).
This occurred in the upper-class ballrooms, and also in the streets and bars of Rio and its suburbs.
In essence an oral tradition, choro lends itself as easily to intricate arrangements as to extravagant and spontaneous improvisation.
This program will feature both!


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