Duo Corcova: Madrugadores

Continuing Their Musical Trip Through Brazilian Music

— Time flies… It was in 2012 that I had the pleasure of informing about an unusual duo that surprised in the nicest way with their debut album. Duo Corcova, from Holland, with the album Violino e Violão.  A title that suggested exactly what we got: wonderful Brazilian music, performed by violinist Laura van de Woord and acoustic guitarist Jeroen Hobbel, two classically-trained musicians with a love for Brazilian Music. For a more complete biography, I kindly refer to my review of Violino e Violão. 

A few years after the release of Violino e Violão, the duo left their homeland Holland (2015). They moved to Estoril, a town along Portugal’s lovely coastline, not far from Lisboa (30 km / 18 miles) and most famous for its casino! The new life is dominated by music teaching and performing. In 2014 the second album Bacalhau was released. And now it’s time for album number three Madrugadores, or “Early Birds,” a title that is illustrated by the picture on the cover, which looks like it was taken in an early morning sun… However, it refers to a radio show on Dutch Radio, in which they were frequent guests.

Again the recording is beautifully done, which is an important extra with such delicate instrumentation. The sound of the acoustic guitar and the violin leaves the speakers in a very natural mixed way. Of course there’s no doubt about our two musicians. Both Laura van der Woord and Jeroen Hobbel are perfect masters on their instruments. It gives them room to play a little with the arrangements. As we might expect from the duo, they come up with a varied and original repertoire. Three own, wonderful compositions and nine well-chosen standards from the Brazilian music history.  

The oldest composition is “A Corte na Roça” from 1884-1885. It’s the first performed musical theatrical work composed by a Brazilian female composer, Chiquinha Gonzaga (1847-1935). “Lamento,” written by Pixinguinha (1897-1973) in November 1928, brings us an example of how the Duo Corcova likes to play with arrangements and how well they know each other’s instrumental qualities. Their interplay connects seamlessly. “Doce de Côco” was written by Jacob do Bandolim (1918-1969) when he was still calling himself Jacob com Acompanhamento. The song from 1950 is a nice addition of the classical choro on this album. There’s another choro with “Choro Negro” by Paulinho da Viola (1942). 

“Chovendo na Roseira” was written as an instrumental song (“Children’s Games”) by Jobim (1927-1994) in 1970. He gave the song lyrics in 1971, renamed it “Chovendo no Roseira” and recorded it on his album Tom & Elis (1974). It soon became a jazz standard,  also adapted with English lyrics by Gene Lees as “Double Rainbow.” It has been recorded by jazz icons, such as Oscar Peterson, Lee Ritenour, Joanne Brackeen, Joe Diorio, Slide Hampton, and many others. “Eu Só Quero um Xodó” (1973) was written by Dominguinhos (1941-2013)   and Lucinete ”Anastácia” Ferreira (1941). It represents the forró, although it’s not possible to capture the sentiment of the style with only violin and guitar. However, they give it a nice arrangement and show that more can be done with this forró. 

Duo Corcova sees it as a mission to bring the diversity of Brazilian music to the attention of people as much as they can. They do a good job with a repertoire like this. The classical touch is surprising and daring. The duo succeeds to come up with a most entertaining CD that as well can accompany a nice drink on a quiet romantic summer evening, outside under the stars.   

ALBUM INFORMATION

Duo Corcova
Madrugadores
Released by duocorcova@gmail.com (2022)
Time: 35’22”

Tracks:

1. Madrugadores (Jeroen Hobbel – Laura van der Woord)
2. Chovendo na Roseira (AC Jobim)
3. Doce de Côco (Jacob do Bandolim)
4. Eu Só Quero um Xodó (Dominguinhos)
5. Relaxado (Jeroen Hobbel – Laura van der Woord)
6. A Corte na Roça (Chiquinha Gonzaga)
7. Lamento (Pixinguinha)
8. Amor I Love You (Carlos Brown – Marisa Monte)
9. Autonomia (Cartola)
10. Choro Negro (Paulinho da Viola)
11. Dom de Iludir (Caetano Veloso)
12. Samba dos Gaios (Jeroen Hobbel – Laura van der Woord)