The musical group SaGRAMA was founded in 1995 within the Conservatório Pernambucano de Música by the teacher and flute player Sérgio Campelo. SaGRAMA brings its own elaborate,
erudite language to bear on folk themes from the popular culture of the northeastern
Brazilian state of Pernambuco. Its nine musicians play both erudite instruments (such as double bass, flutes, clarinet, bass clarinet, marimba, snare drum, tom-toms) and popular instruments
(such as caboclinhos arrows, maracatu alfaia, pífanos, ten-string guitar). This blend of acoustic instruments create a wealth of sound effects achieving an intricate, exotic sound tapestry.
Awards: First prize for music in 1998 Prêmio Aeso de Cultura Pernambucana (given to groups which spread the culture of Pernambuco). Homage in the 23rd Baile dos Artistas in 2001, for musical prominence. First prize for music in the 2002 Prêmio Bandepe Valor Pernambucano Arte e Cultura.
CDs:
SaGRAMA has five CDs recorded and available in Brazil:
1st CD - Sa grama was finalist of the 1998 Sharp Awards in the instrumental music category. (1998, LG label)
2nd CD - Engenho was released in 1999 in Recife and in 2000 in the city of Rio de Janeiro and the state of São Paulo. (1999, LG label)
3rd CD - Trilha sonora - O Auto da Compadecida (soundtrack) has been widely acclaimed by critics and public alike. (2000, Natasha label)
4th CD - Tábua de pirulito was released in Brazil in 2002. Among the many musicians taking part are Quinteto de Cordas da Paraíba (string quintet), guitarrist Fred Andrade, drummer Ebel Perreli, percussionist Homero Basílio, and the children from Daruê Malungo. (2002, LG label).
5th CD - Trilha sonora - O Brasil-Império na TV (soundtrack) is a recreation of Brazilian music during the Empire: SaGRAMA uses its own language and instruments.
film O Auto da Compadecida**. In 1998, SaGRAMA wrote and recorded the soundtrack for this television miniseries based on a play written by Ariano Suas suna. The mini-series was directed
by Guel Arraes and broadcast by Rede Globo channel. Retaining this original soundtrack, the series was re-released in 2000 as a feature film that broke all boxoffice records. In the 35mm clip of the track Mãe dos homens. This clip was directed by Guel Arraes and Lula Queiroga and released in 2000. This musical theme accompanies the character of Compadecida, played by Fernanda Montenegro in the feature-length film O Auto da Compadecida. The clip includes some footage from the film itself. In the film in eight episodes O Brasil-Império na TV**. In 2002, SaGRAMA wrote and recorded the soundtrack for this film directed by Fátima Accetti and
Cynthia Falcão for broadcasting to millions of Brazilian students on educational TV and video.
In the choreography of the Brazilian Olympic Synchronized Swimming Team in the Pan-American Olympic Games in Winnipeg (Canada)*.
In the cd-roms: Viagem em torno de Gilberto Freyre*, História (nem sempre) bem humorada de Pernambuco* .
In the theatre plays: A ver estrelas...** (music created in association with João Falcão), A máquina*, Terra adorada*, Mamulengo sorriso* .
* Using material previously released on CD.
** Musical direction and creation of the original
soundtrack.
“Unquestionably, the instrumental music from the northeast has a special place in the canon
of Brazilian music. Ever since the Armorial Movement, led by Ariano Suassuna, northeastern
music has been covered extensively in the media, attracting not only various studies on
the subject, but also composers and musicians from later generations who became fans of the
movement. The excellent SaGRAMA, formed by teachers at the Conservatório Pernambucano de Música, was to continue this trend. Its musicians belong intrinsically to the generation of musicians influenced by the Armorial Movement. The varied repertoire on this CD, with its
expressive strength, conveys the musical essence of the soul of the northeast of Brazil. These works clearly show the amazing virtuosity and versatility of the musicians of the group. Those who appreciate good music will know how to enjoy the message of SaGRAMA and will await the new pleasures offered by future releases.”
Clóvis Pereira
