Clarice Assad

(2013) O Saci-Pererê

Concerto For Guitar & Orchestra

Duration: c.a. (23 minutes) |Commissioned by the Harris Foundation

Program Notes

Saci-Pererê is a famous Brazilian mythological character I grew up reading about so much, I used to think it was real.  Part of my fascination with Saci as a child is that he’s a magical being.   He’s also a very interesting-looking creature: He is short, has only one leg but can move swiftly through the woods; he has dark, chocolate mocha skin and wears a red magic cap that enables him to be invisible, disappear and reappear whenever he wishes.  

Myth has it that Saci can be very evil when and if he wishes to, though mostly towards people who are not nice.  So I guess that makes him a good guy in a way.  Other rumors I’ve heard about Saci is that he loves to play pranks on people and sports loud and boisterous laughter of delight whenever something goes wrong… Another facet of this incredible creature is that he becomes a bird who sings a beautiful, mournful song.  As a bird, Saci is known as Matita-Perê.

The concerto is in standard form:  Medium, Slow, Fast.  Each movement deals with a different personality trait.  MOV. I (THE MAGIC CAP)  is about Saci’s playfulness, his child-like qualities, and love for harmless pranks.  MOV. II (MATITA PERÊ) is about the bird he becomes; the song sings before taking on a long flight over a rocky mountain.   MOV. II connects to Mov. III (DUST DEVIL) depicts Saci’s evil character.

Interviews/Reviews

Instrumentation

Flute | Oboe | Bb Clarinet | Bassoon/Doubling Contra
Horn in F | Trumpet in C | Trombone
Timpani
Percussion 1 *
Percussion 2 *
Strings

PERCUSSION:
Lg. Susp. Cym, Sizzle Cym, Lg. Caxixi, Shaker, plastic hose, vibraslap, glockenspiel,
agogo, brake drum, keychain, castanets, drumset *bass drum (muted to sound dry), hi-hat, snare drum, lg. cabasa, marimba, lg. bass drum, tam tam, vibraphone.

“This is precisely the sort of adventurous and involving piece the guitar repertoire needs more of. I hope other orchestras will take a chance on it.”

Classical Guitar Magazine

Join the Clarice Assad
Mailing List