AMAZÔNIA SEM LEI, “Lawless Amazon,” is a well-known Brazilian term to designate how corporate institutions are not accountable for their ruthless greed and actions against nature and people who live off the land. The expression is also the title of an incredible podcast of the same title.   For a year, it was my go-to place to obtain information about the daily atrocities and crimes committed against the Amazon. Consequently, it influenced my writing. I wished to convey the power of informative journalism with pure music and emotion without being too specific. Musically speaking, the piece draws influence from what I believe are the three most prominent musicians who have always advocated for nature in their works: Composer Heitor Villa-Lobos, singer-songwriter Antonio Carlos Jobim, and composer, singer, and musicologist Marlui Miranda. 

Each, in their way, brought the sounds of the forest into our collective consciousness. The closest to the sounds of the Amazon we can get is through the music of Marlui Miranda. She lived among the Indigenous people of the Amazon for decades, earned their trust, and collected their music and stories. In 1999 I had the pleasure of meeting her in person and hearing some of these accounts, along with a signed copy of her masterpiece, a CD called IHU. It is pure musical joy; staying true to the source, all the melodies, language, chants, and rhythms she collected are preserved. But with a delightful twist in the orchestration and vocal arrangements performed by Marlui, Grupo Beijo, and the only percussion group UAKTI.  

Movements: 

I. Introduction

II. Seres (Beings) 

III. Sun-Drum 

IV. Curupira

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