Samba Em Preludio
Music: Edexcel GCSE, topic 5.2.1
Samba Em Preludio
Your second set work for Fusions is Esperanza Spalding: Samba Em Preludio (from the album ‘Esperanza’).
Context
- This piece is a bossa nova cover.
- Bossa nova translates to ‘new trend’ and is a fusion of samba (from Brazil) and jazz (from America).
- The lyrics are sung in Portuguese and reflect sadness and loss.
Dynamics
- Samba music is normally loud and associated with carnivals and parties but bossa nova is a slower, quieter cousin of Brazilian samba.
Rhythm
- Bossa nova is a lot slower compared with samba.
- The start has a free tempo and sounds improvised.
- In bar 4 the piece settles in 4/4 time but the rhythm is syncopated.
- There is use of rubato (robbed time).
Test yourself on Samba Em Preludio
What language are the lyrics of Samba Em Preludio sung in?
Which time signature does Samba Em Preludio settle into in bar 4?