Cláudio Menandro

Origin

Salvador, BA

Also known as

Claudio Menandro de Oliveira

Years Active

1985–2025

Genres

choro, instrumental music, early music, seresta

Instruments

acoustic guitar, cavaquinho, mandolin, viola da gamba, fiddle, viola caipira, mandolim

Biography

Cláudio Menandro de Oliveira, born in Salvador, Bahia, on January 21, 1956, is a renowned Brazilian musician, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and teacher. His musical career ranges from early music, with studies in viola da gamba, to the deep exploration of choro and other genres of Brazilian popular music. Menandro began his musical studies at age 13 in the city of Resende, Rio de Janeiro, with Benjamim Silva Araújo, focusing initially on the viola da gamba and later refining his skills in Renaissance and Baroque music through courses in Switzerland. Concurrently, he developed a strong interest in Brazilian music, learning to play the mandolin and cavaquinho and participating in choro jam sessions.

His discography includes albums such as "Cláudio Menandro Interpreta" (1985), dedicated to classical pieces from the erudite guitar repertoire, and "Capelinha" (1987), focused on Brazilian choros and waltzes. In Europe, he formed "Projeto Três" with acoustic guitarist Ahmed-El-Salamouny and percussionist Gilson de Assis, recording three CDs dedicated to Brazilian music. In 2003, he released the CD "Sombra e Água Fresca", featuring his own compositions and the participation of clarinetist Paulo Sérgio Santos, who also included him in his tribute to maestro Waltel Branco. Menandro also revised over 40 sheet music scores by Waltel Branco for the book "A Obra para Violão de Waltel Branco", released in 2008.

Cláudio Menandro is also a music educator, having served as a professor at the Brazilian Popular Music Conservatory in Curitiba, where he resides. He has published several sheet music books, including "Choro Brasileiro", featuring 52 of his own compositions, "Obras para Violão de Cláudio Menandro", and "50 Estudos para Cavaquinho", material aimed at training new musicians. His work is recognized for its technical sophistication and deep connection to the rich Brazilian musical tradition, making him an important figure in the country's instrumental music.

Discography

• Cláudio Menandro Interpreta (1984)
• Interpreta Villa-Lobos, Joaquin Rodrigo, Agustin Barrios e Outros (1985)
• Capelinha (1988)
• Ahmed El-Salamouny, Claudio Menandro, Gilson de Assis – Samba Urbano (1995)
• Live in Germany (Ostrauderfehn 1999) (1999)
• Brasileirinho (2000)
• Sombra e Água Fresca - Choros (2003)
• Descansado (2005)
• Conselho do Bom (2014)
• Alma de Passarinho (2014)
• Choro em Curitiba (2015)
• Tributo a Aderly Santi (2017)
• 50 Estudos para Cavaquinho (2023)
• Choro de Rabeca (2025)
• Ahmed El-Salamouny, Gilson de Assis, Claudio Menandro – Aquarela - Brazilian Music For Guitars & Percussion
• Tributo A Waltel Branco