I want to celebrate the birthday of one of my musical heroes. But first I need to tell you what he does, and why you should care. In this case, that’s not easy. How do I even begin to describe Hermeto Pascoal? It’s possible—perhaps even likely— that you’ve haven’t heard any of his music. Pascoal has never enjoyed a genuine hit record in the United States, and I can’t even recall hearing his music on the radio. I own some choice albums by the man they call
In his major work, The World as Will and Representation, Schopenhauer expresses his belief that human reason is incapable of grasping the ultimate reality of the world—what others might describe as the Platonic Ideas underlying everyday experience. But Schopenhauer makes an unusual exception for music, which he believes might give us some glimpse into this higher reality. This view had a profound influence upon Richard Wagner and others, and is a significant moment in the history o aesthetic philosophy.
Jesus!! In my best Steve Buscemi as Nucky voice. What talent. This man doesn’t need a Grammy. They’re trophies that rust like the rest of awards by man. He’s been blessed by the musical Gods.
Once I was playing with Marcio Bahia (excellent drummer, that played in Hermeto's band and was married to his daughter), and Hermeto was at the audience. After the concert, we spoke with him and he told me something like I could play cavaquinho in the old and traditional way and in the modern way, too. I was very flattered!
I used to take a bus once in a while for the sake of being close to him when I was a teenager. Hermeto had a strict agenda and I was just blessed to be able to learn from his conversation with his musicians, it seems to me he thinks about music all the time.
Excelente texto. Hermeto é um dos maiores gênios da música. Aqui no Brasil, é pouco conhecido infelizmente, em sua maioria, por àqueles que fazem música. Para você ter uma ideia, seu texto é primeiro que encontrei até o momento que fala sobre essa data. Hermeto é um ser musical, o próprio sopro da musa. Além de todas as coisas que você falou (concordo com todas), ele tem um livro chamado Calendário do Som. São composições dele, uma para cada dia do ano. Abraços, e me desculpe por escrever em Português.
Fantastic article as always. What's the source for the mention of Schopenhauer in the penultimate paragraph?
In his major work, The World as Will and Representation, Schopenhauer expresses his belief that human reason is incapable of grasping the ultimate reality of the world—what others might describe as the Platonic Ideas underlying everyday experience. But Schopenhauer makes an unusual exception for music, which he believes might give us some glimpse into this higher reality. This view had a profound influence upon Richard Wagner and others, and is a significant moment in the history o aesthetic philosophy.
Jesus!! In my best Steve Buscemi as Nucky voice. What talent. This man doesn’t need a Grammy. They’re trophies that rust like the rest of awards by man. He’s been blessed by the musical Gods.
So interesting 🎉
Holy craziness man!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DgKrt6aGSg&t=2105s
The coffee cup solo was enough to launch this guy into “hero” status. Bravo!
Great article!
Once I was playing with Marcio Bahia (excellent drummer, that played in Hermeto's band and was married to his daughter), and Hermeto was at the audience. After the concert, we spoke with him and he told me something like I could play cavaquinho in the old and traditional way and in the modern way, too. I was very flattered!
Miles released an album with Hermeto and other Brazilian folks, called POP Directions in Music by Miles Davis and I have this album https://http2.mlstatic.com/D_NQ_NP_948561-MLB49927778511_052022-O.webp
I used to take a bus once in a while for the sake of being close to him when I was a teenager. Hermeto had a strict agenda and I was just blessed to be able to learn from his conversation with his musicians, it seems to me he thinks about music all the time.
Brazilian here. Thanks for writing this piece. It made me search and listen to old Hermeto records. What a delight!
Thanks for publishing Ted..wonderful article
What a great text! As a brazilian, it's awesome to see people talking about Hermeto, specially because even here, almost no one knows him. Thanks Ted!
Excelente texto. Hermeto é um dos maiores gênios da música. Aqui no Brasil, é pouco conhecido infelizmente, em sua maioria, por àqueles que fazem música. Para você ter uma ideia, seu texto é primeiro que encontrei até o momento que fala sobre essa data. Hermeto é um ser musical, o próprio sopro da musa. Além de todas as coisas que você falou (concordo com todas), ele tem um livro chamado Calendário do Som. São composições dele, uma para cada dia do ano. Abraços, e me desculpe por escrever em Português.
This is an excellent tribute to an amazing human being!!
Amazing read thanks for the intro