Aquarela do Brasil ("Brazil") - Guitar Quartet

Aquarela do Brasil, sometimes titled "Aquarela Brasileira" is a gorgeous piece.

Following on from the success of my arrangement of Aquarela do Brasil for Intermediate Guitar Trio, I’m pleased to publish an arrangement which sounds very similar but has an easy additional Guitar 4 part for less experienced players, playing from treble or bass clef, with some slightly lighter chords in Guitar 3 to make room.

Originally copyrighted in 1939, this piece came back into public awareness by its appearance in the Dystopian movie “Brazil”, though it’s such a great tune I’m not sure that it ever really faded away. Once you hear it, I’m sure you’ll love it to bits.

In this edition, I’ve arranged the piece for 4 guitars (3 intermediate, one easier), but it works fantastically with a larger ensemble too.

There’s a repeat on Page 2 of each part which takes you through the various sections of the piece twice, matching many performances that you will hear.

But here’s an idea - if your ensemble fancies something with a little more variety, each of Guitars 1-3 could add an additional but different page 2 to your music and disregard the repeat mark - Guitars 1-3 get to play more than one part. Guitar 4 stays with their own score to keep their score at an easier level.

I’ve put a few dynamics on which will help emphasise the changes in texture, and as regards tempo, well, the music bounces along whatever speed you play it. The marked speed is a little slower than most recordings of the piece, but the sweet sound of the guitars has a chance to breathe more at a slightly more modest pace.

• See also my version for 3 intermediate guitars

Click see/hear/buy (on the right)Tap see/hear/buy below for sample score & audio