COMPLETE LAURINDO ALMEIDA ANTHOLOGY OF GUITAR SOLOS

Laurindo Almeida; edited by Ron Purcell

Laurindo Almeida (1917-1995) belongs to an elite group of Brazilian/American guitarists, who by composing important works for the guitar reinstated the instrument in his native country as worthy of serious musical study. Stylistically, his compositions synthesize his classical background, Afro-Brazilian rhythms, traditional Brazilian music, and American jazz. This collection presents Almeida's solos preserving the original left and right hand fingerings. The fingering is unique and tells us something about his skills as a professional guitarist. It also reflects the Brazilian school of guitar technique in the 1930's. Written in standard notation only.

Intermediate-Advanced levels.

Contents

Acknowledgements
Editors Comments
Biography
ORIGINAL WORKS OF LAURINDO ALMEIDA
Having Fun with the Scales (Brincando com as Escalas)
Note: In the 1950's, Laurindo was developing a method for the guitar. This editor was
approached in the 1960's to read through the studies he had developed. Many of the charming
little studies appear here, such as, the Etudes, Danza Gitana, Pages from an Album, The Fox
and Music Box.
More Fun with the Scales (Mas Brincando com as Escalas)
Note: This work may be played with Having Fun with the Scales as a duet.
Etude No. 1 (Opus 5)
Etude No. 2 (Opus 10)
Samba of the Arpeggios (Samba aos Arpejos)
Samba Along With Me
Note: This was to be a duet but never finished.
Choro Melancolico
The Fox
Note: Recorded with Capitol Records and later at the Concord Jazz Summer Festival.
Escadoo
Note: Laurindo recorded this work on Dobre Records. Later, it was recorded on Concord
Records, Outra Vez. "Escadoo" is a play on the word "Skidoo."
That Lazy Thing
Note: Also recorded on Dobre Records, Laurindo says of this work, "it portrays a guy who
Hated to work. With his hat on he loved to sleep under the trees."
Mimi
Note: Dedicated to a friend.
Music Box
This work was recorded on Capitol Records.
Danza Gitana (Gypsy Dance)
Amor Flamenco
Laurindo created this work for the motion picture, A Star is Born, with Judy Garland and
James Mason. The work was also featured on the album, Laurindo Almeida Quartet, Vol. 2,
With the World Pacific Jazz label and later in his Guitar Tutor, Classic Guitar Method, A
Complete Method In Three Courses, under the title, Amor Flamengo.
Gypsy Suite I
1. Sevillana
2. Alegria
3. Farruca
4. Soleares in D minor
5. Buleria
Gypsy Suite II
1. Introduction
2. El Gitano Triste (The Lonely Gypsy)
3. La Gitana Enamorada (The Gypsy Girl in Love)
4. La Fiesta (Soledad) (The Party)
5. El Casamiento (The Marriage)
Autumnal Prelude (Guitar Solo Version)
Note: Originally written for solo guitar, Laurindo re-arranged the work for flute and guitar
(recorded with Bud Shank) and a later arrangement for guitar and bass.
Pages From an Album (Page One - Obstinancy)
Note: Other pages were to follow but never completed.
Crepusculo em Copacabana (Twilight in Copacabana)
Almeida a la Carte
Note: Laurindo's sense of humor is reflected in the title of this work as well as many others.
Serenata (In Memory to Garoto)
Note: Annibal Augusto Sardinha, 1915-1955, known in Brazil as "Garoto" was one of this
Countries out-standing professional guitarists. He and Laurindo recorded duets on Odeon And
RCA Victor albums between 1939 and 1940.
Garoto
Note: Another tribute to Annibal Augusto Sardinha.
Lament In Tremolo Form (dedicated to Rocky)
Note: Laurindo, like William Foden, the early American guitarist, preferred the three-finger
Tremolo, p-m-i. Rocky was a pet poodle that was capable of detecting minor mistakes when
Laurindo was practicing.
Preludio y Tremolo
Note: A study for perfecting the tremolo.
Tremolo Melancolico
Note: This work is in response to one of Augustin Barrios' tremolo pieces.
Mystified
Note: This work and Insomnia were written during Laurindo's Stan Kenton period, 1947-
1952.
Insomnia
Old Time Rag
Note: This work was recorded on Concord Jazz Records as the only solo performed by
Laurindo for the album. The L.A. Four Scores.
Spring in New York (Primavera em Nova Iorque
Note: Laurindo wrote this work while on the road with Stan Kenton's Band.
Cadenza (From Concerto #1 for Guitar and Orchestra)
Note: Laurindo felt The Cadenza from his Concerto #1 stands alone as a technical study.
GUITAR SOLOS TRANSCRIBED AND ARRANGED BY LAURINDO ALMEIDA
Bourree BWV996
Johann S. Bach (1685-1750). Note: The Bourree has been slightly arranged filling-out the
Implied two-part harmony.
Air (On the G String)
Johann S. Bach, (1685-1750). Note: This Air is taken from the second movement of the Suite
No. 3 in D Major, (BWV 1068). Laurindo has transposed the work to the key of C Major. He
Also arranged the work for guitar and string ensemble.
Praeludium No. 1 in C major
from the Well-Tempered Clavier, Johann S. Bach (1685-1750)
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
Johann S. Bach, from Cantata No. 147. Note: This work was recorded on Capitol Records.
Intimate Bach.
Arioso
Johann S. Bach (BWV 156, from the Cantata Ich steh'mit eienem fuss im Grabe).
Solfeggio in C Minor
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714-1788). Note: This adaptation and free arrangement by
Laurindo is taken from C.P.E. Bach's two volume work on the Art of Playing the Klavier.
Rondo Espressivo
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714-1788).
Gavotte from "Iphigenie in Aulis"
Christoph Willibald Ritter von Gluck (1714-1787). Note: Laurindo's arrangement of this
Gavotte was taken from Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) keyboard edition. In the opera, the
Gavotte follows the Passacaille in Act 2.
Menuetto
Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809).
Serenade
(Standchen) Franz Schubert (1797-1826). Note: This famous song comes from the
Schwanengesang (Swan Song) Cycle. Laurindo later arranged this work for two guitars.
Traumerei
Op. 15, No. 7, Robert Schumann (1810-1856). Note: from a group of 13 pieces entitled
Kinderscenen.
Menuetto from G Major Sonata (Op. 78)
Franz Schubert. Note: The Menuetto is the third movement from the G Major Sonata, Op. 78.
Prelude (Op. 28, No. 20)
Frederic Chopin (1810-1849). Note: This work comes from the Twenty-Four Preludes
published in 1839. The original key is C Minor.
Mazurka (Op. 7, No. 1)
Frederic Chopin (1810-1849). Note: This work comes from the Five Mazurkas published in
1832. Laurindo recorded the work with Capitol Records.
Meditatoin from Thais
By Jules Massenet (1842-1912). Note: From the opera, Thais, produced in 1894, Meditation
is heard in Act 2, Scene 2.
Gymnopedie No. 1
(Exercises) Erik Satie (1866-1925). Note: This eccentric French composer wrote a series of
three "exercises" in 1888 of which Claude Debussy later orchestrated two of them.
The Little Shepherd
Claude Debussy (1862-1918). Note: This work, No. 5, comes from a collection of six pieces
entitled, Children's Corner.
La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin (Maid with the Flaxen Hair)
By Claude Debussy (1862-1918). Note: This work is number 8 from Douze Preludes, Book 1,
published in 1910. Recorded with Capitol Records.
Soms de Carrilhoes (Sounds of Carillons)
(Sounds of Bells) Joao Pernambuco (1883-1947). Note: This famous guitar piece, "The Sound
of Bells," typifies the "choro, meaning to weep. Yet, the music sounds somewhat lively and
syncopated, similar to Ragtime.
Duas Contas (Two Jewels)
Annibal Augusto Sardinha, 1915-1955 (Garoto).
Three Choros
I - Choro Triste
II - Gracioso
III - Nosso Choro
Note: These works by Garoto have been slightly arranged by Laurindo. Since he knew and
performed with Garoto, the changes are refreshing and different from other editions presently
on the market and definitely in the style of Garoto.
Dansa Brasileira
Radames Gnattali, (1906-1988). Note: Gnattali wrote more than forty major works for the
guitar. Most were dedicated to Laurindo and Annibal Augusto Sardinha (Garoto). Laurindo
was the first to promote his music outside Brazil and later to receive many of this composer's
works for the guitar. One of them was written for electric guitar and piano, Danca Popular
Brasileira.
Saudade
(Nostalgia), Radames Gnattali (1906-1988). Recorded with Capitol Records.
Alma Brasileira (Brazilian Soul)
by Radames Gnattali (1906-1988) arranged by Carlos Barbosa-Lima. Note: In the 1980's,
Laurindo showed the keyboard work to Carlos Barbosa-Lima, Brazil's renowned concert
guitarist. Carlos had made an arrangement of the work some years prior to this meeting and
submitted the work to Brazillance Publishing Co.
Two Spanish Folk Songs
1. A Dormir A Hora Mismo (Go to sleep now)
2. A La Puerta Del Cielo (At the Gate of Heaven)
Viola Quebrada (Broken Guitar)
Note: This traditional melody reflects the Brazilian past. In the 17th century, the Viola de
Arame, came from the Portuguese Acorian Islands and was brought to Brazil by the sailors
plying the Atlantic Ocean. This instrument had five pairs of wire strings and was related to
the Baroque guitar. Laurindo spoke of his Sao Paulo past and the instrument that inspired this
beautiful melody, harmonized by Heitor Villa-Lobos and arranged by Laurindo.
Danza Mexicana
Jose Barroso (1901-1986). Note: Jose was a close friend to Laurindo as well as one of the
finest session players in the music industry of Southern California.
Bulerias y Cancion
Jose Barroso. Note: Laurindo recorded this work on Capitol Records, c. 1955.
Bossa Californiana
Elizabeth Waldo (1918-). Note: The composer met and worked with Laurindo in 1947. She
is the director of the Multi-Cultural Music and Art Foundation in Northridge, California.
Dialogue
by Franklin Marks (1911-1971). Note: This composer for the film industry dedicated this and
the following work to Laurindo. Both were recorded with Capitol Records.
The Night and the Sea
Franklin Marks
Tocatta
Jerrald K. Goldsmith. Note: Better known as Jerry Goldsmith, the famous film composer, this
work was dedicated to Laurindo. Recorded with Capitol Records.