Choro (from the Portuguese chorar — “to weep”) is the first purely Brazilian urban music genre, which arose in Rio de Janeiro in the late 19th century. Despite its “tearful” name, most choro pieces are lively, virtuosic, and joyful.
It is primarily instrumental music, in which the soloists (most often flute, clarinet, or mandolin) lead a fast, capricious melody, while guitars and the pandeiro hand drum create a springy rhythmic accompaniment. Choro demands brilliant technique and improvisational mastery from its musicians, so it is often compared to jazz. This genre influenced the accompaniment of early samba, and has survived as a living, revered art that brings musicians together at informal gatherings — the “rodas” — across Brazil.
