Album · 2004

Violino Popular Brasileiro

Ricardo Herz

Ricardo Herz’s debut solo album showcases the exploration that would become central to his career: a violin deeply connected to the rhythms, timbres, and creative spirit of Brazilian popular music.

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The album

About the album

Perhaps the history of Brazilian popular music has always been this way… various peoples and styles coming together, free of prejudice, with the sole aim of making it sound good.

Ricardo Herz

In this work, Ricardo Herz offers music that is truly festive and rich in emotion.
Brazilian music—his specialty—is magnificently and originally represented here, thanks to his immense talent as a violinist.
Not only an improviser but also a composer, Ricardo possesses extraordinary artistic potential.
His time at the Centre des Musiques Didier Lockwood drew significant attention, both for how he represented his country’s music and for his great aptitude for jazz.
This vibrant, multifaceted album reveals the immense talent of the participating musicians, and I am certain it will achieve the great success it deserves.

Didier Lockwood

Track list

Tracks and notes

1. Ponteio

Edu Lobo / Capinan

Musicians
Ricardo Herz – violin
Dino Barioni – guitar
Natallino Neto – bass
Edu Ribeiro – drums
Ari Colares – congas, caxixi, and effects

When I thought about recording Ponteio, I was reminded of a recording by Edu Lobo with Quarteto em Cy.
It is a song of great lyrical intensity that has always moved me deeply.
Here, the idea was to bring that intensity to the violin within a Brazilian instrumental musical language.

2. Samba Funk

Ricardo Herz

Ricardo Herz – violin
Dino Barioni – guitar
Natallino Neto – bass
Ari Colares – percussion
Edu Ribeiro – drums

A direct blend of the worlds of samba and funk.
The music explores a groove-oriented style, placing the violin in dialogue with the rhythm section in a more percussive and contemporary way.

3. Canto da Ema

Ayres Viana / A. Cavalcanti / João do Vale

Ricardo Herz – violin
Ari Colares – pandeiro

A reinterpretation of this Northeastern classic, seeking to bring the violin closer to the *rabeca (traditional Brazilian fiddle)* (traditional folk fiddle) with a more rustic and expressive sound, while maintaining the song’s popular and direct character.

4. Céu

Ricardo Herz / Ricardo Teté

Ricardo Herz – violin and triangle
Dominguinhos – accordion and vocals
Dino Barioni – 7-string guitar
Natallino Neto – bass
Edu Ribeiro – drums

A piece blending lyricism with Northeastern musical idioms, featuring a strong presence of Dominguinhos’ accordion.
The violin engages in a direct dialogue with this tradition.

5. Modinha

Ricardo Herz

Ricardo Herz – violin
Heloisa Fernandes – piano

An introspective piece that works with silence and space.
The focus is on creating a sensitive, chamber-music atmosphere.

6. Mourinho

Ricardo Herz

Ricardo Herz – violin
Dino Barioni – *viola caipira* (Brazilian ten-string guitar)
Natallino Neto – bass
Zezinho Pitoco – zabumba and triangle

Text
A composition blending elements of Brazilian music with improvisation.
It features a strong rhythmic character and a highly memorable theme.

7. De Volta pro Aconchego

Dominguinhos / Nando Cordel

Ricardo Herz – violin

A version that highlights the lyricism of the original song.
The violin takes on the role of the lead voice, preserving the music’s emotional quality.

8. É

Gonzaguinha

Ricardo Herz – violin
Dino Barioni – 7-string guitar
Natallino Neto – bass
Ari Colares – congas, cowbell, pandeiro
Edu Ribeiro – drums
Hamilton de Holanda – 10-string mandolin

A direct and emotional interpretation with a strong melodic presence.
The violin acts as the lead voice, maintaining the song’s intensity.

9. Beatriz

Chico Buarque / Edu Lobo

Ricardo Herz – violin
Heloisa Fernandes – piano

A sensitive reinterpretation, exploring the work’s harmonic and melodic nuances.

10. Linha de Passe

João Bosco / Aldir Blanc / Paulo Emílio

Ricardo Herz – violin

A more rhythmic and intense version, highlighting the music’s groove and energy.

11. 1×0

Pixinguinha / Benedito Lacerda

Musicians
Ricardo Herz – violin
Zé Luis Nascimento – percussion
Fernando do Cavaco – cavaquinho

Text
An instrumental *choro* approach, maintaining tradition but with a distinctive violin style.

12. Gil and Hamilton

Ricardo Herz

Musicians
Ricardo Herz – violins
Denílson Oliveira – agogô
Ricardo Valverde – congas
Péri – loops
Natallino Neto – bass

Text
A composition that encapsulates the album’s concept: blending Brazilian musical references with a unique violin style, featuring a strong rhythmic presence and room for improvisation.

General credits

Music production
Hamilton de Holanda / Ricardo Herz

Musical direction
Hamilton de Holanda

Phonographic producer
Ricardo Herz

Executive production
Marcia Cavallini / Cristina Barros

Production support
Marina Herz

Recording

Recorded in October 2004 at Estúdio Zabumba by André Magalhães and Felipe Julian.
Tracks 7 and 10, as well as percussion and violins on track 12, recorded at Estúdio Baticum by Diogo Ramos.
Percussion on track 11 recorded in Paris by Isaac Cohen.

Mixing: André Magalhães / Ricardo Herz
Mastering: Homero Lotito – Reference Mastering Studio

Musicians (general)

Ari Colares – percussion
Dino Barioni – electric and acoustic guitars
Edu Ribeiro – drums
Fernando do Cavaco – cavaquinho
Heloisa Fernandes – piano
Natallino Neto – electric bass
Zé Luis Nascimento – percussion
Zezinho Pitoco – zabumba and triangle

Special guests
Dominguinhos – accordion and vocals
Hamilton de Holanda – mandolin

Booklet

Full credits