The Brazilian Choros combines rhythmic gesture, ongoing harmonies and sequences of motives in one single melody. This technique derives from baroque music and can be compared to the suites for cello by J.S.Bach. The Portuguese colonists brought their baroque music with them to Brazil where it later merged with the rhythmic music brought in by the West African slaves. In this means the first original Brazilian music was generated. This article will argue that both musical idioms are not as separated as one may believe.
