Quinteto Romancal

Genres

MPB, instrumental music

Instruments

rabeca, pífano, flauta, marimbau, viola caipira, violão, matraca

Biography

Quinteto Romancal was a Brazilian instrumental music group that emerged from the Movimento Armorial, a cultural movement founded in 1970 by Ariano Suassuna. The group aimed to explore and adapt popular medieval pieces for the narrative tradition of the Northeast of Brazil, incorporating instruments traditional to the region such as the rabeca, pífanos, marimbau, viola caipira, violão, and matraca. This approach resulted in a unique style of "popular erudite" music with Renaissance roots, deeply connected to the Brazilian sertaneja conception.

The ensemble's work was closely linked to the Extension Department of the Federal University of Pernambuco. Quinteto Romancal sought to experiment with new timbres and musical languages, breaking down the barriers between classical and popular music to create a sound that resonated more closely with Brazil's cultural reality. This innovative spirit led them to be recognized by APCA as the Best Instrumental Ensemble of the Year in 1974, the same year they released their debut album "Do romance ao galope nordestino" on the Marcus Pereira label.

Their debut album featured notable compositions like "Mourão" by Guerra Peixe, "Toada e desafio" and "Rasga" by Antônio Nóbrega, and "Romance de Minervina," a 19th-century romance from the Northeast recreated by Antônio José Madureira. In 1976, Quinteto Romancal represented Brazil at the Festival de Cosquim in Argentina, the most significant popular culture gathering in South America, where they were lauded by the press for their performance.