1845
Polka arrives in Brazil
European salon dances — polka, waltz, mazurka, schottische — become raw material for Brazilian transformation
European salon dances — polka, waltz, mazurka, schottische — become raw material for Brazilian transformation
Joaquim Callado assembles flute + 2 guitars + cavaquinho. The lundu and modinha provide African-rooted rhythmic DNA.
Instrumental groups in Cidade Nova, Catete, Tijuca. “Choro” describes the choroso (weeping) way musicians reinterpret European melodies over Afro-Brazilian rhythms.
Chiquinha breaks from her marriage, becomes Brazil’s first female conductor, composes across choro, maxixe, marcha. Nazareth bridges salon piano with popular tradition. Anacleto de Medeiros leads the Banda do Corpo de Bombeiros.
Alfredo da Rocha Vianna Filho — flautist, saxophonist, composer, arranger — will become choro’s most towering figure.
Pixinguinha’s ensemble tours France for 6 months, absorbing jazz influences. International exposure transforms the genre.
Regionais become fixtures of Brazilian radio. Pixinguinha & Benedito Lacerda record legendary duets. Radamés Gnattali bridges classical orchestration and choro. Waldir Azevedo composes “Brasileirinho” (1947).
Jacob Pick Bittencourt records landmark albums, founds Época de Ouro (1964). His perfectionism sets new standards. Gnattali composes Suíte Retratos (1956) — four “portraits” of Pixinguinha, Nazareth, Anacleto, Chiquinha.
Jacob dies 1969, Pixinguinha 1973. But clubs sprout nationwide: Clube do Choro de Rio (1975), Clube do Choro de Brasília. TV Bandeirantes hosts 1st Festival Nacional (1977). Paulinho da Viola, Hermeto Pascoal carry the torch.
Raphael Rabello revolutionizes 7-string guitar. Escola Portátil de Música opens. Hamilton de Holanda reinvents the bandolim (10 strings). Yamandú Costa electrifies audiences.
April 23 — Pixinguinha’s birthday — becomes the national celebration of choro.
Milena Sá’s “Nas Rodas do Choro” captures the informal circle tradition — how choro transmits itself from master to apprentice.
IPHAN unanimously registers choro in the Livro das Formas de Expressão. A 204-page dossiê and feature-length documentary accompany the designation. TV Cultura celebrates 150 years with Brasil Toca Choro special.