Carlos Paredes (1925–2004) was a virtuoso of the Portuguese Guitar — a twel… Read Full Bio ↴Carlos Paredes (1925–2004) was a virtuoso of the Portuguese Guitar — a twelve-string member of the lute family not unlike a mandolin, traditionally used as accompaniment in Fado music.
He was also a composer whose formal invention effortlessly grafted classical influences with, and extended the range of, traditional Fado styles.
Paredes was born on 16th February 1925 in Coimbra. His father was the equally famous guitarist Artur Paredes. He is credited with popularising his chosen instrument internationally and was known as the "Man with a Thousand Fingers", in a reference to his natural virtuosity.
He began playing at the age of four and started his musical career at the age of eleven. He performed with many other artists, including Charlie Haden, and also wrote compositions for the celebrated Fado singer Amalia Rodrigues. He wrote a number of film scores, and received particular recognition for the 1971 film Verdes Anos ("Tender Years"). In 2000, the Kronos Quartet recorded two versions of "Verdes Anos" and "Romance no 1", from the first Carlos Paredes album, Guitarra Portuguesa, recorded in 1969 -1970.
During the 1950s and 1960s, being a member of the Portuguese Communist Party, he was imprisoned for opposing the Portuguese dictatorship; some of this time was spent in solitary confinement. He would walk around his cell pretending to play music, which led some prison inmates to believe he was insane. In fact he was writing compositions in his head.
When the dictatorship was overthrown, and all political prisoners were released in the aftermath of the 1974 revolution, they were widely thought of as heroes by the Portuguese — but the ever-humble Paredes always refused any such heroic status. He never said much about his time in prison except: "Many people suffered more than me".
He suffered from myelopathy, a nerve disorder which prevented him from playing for the last eleven years of his life. He died from kidney failure on 23rd July 2004, in a nursing home.
He was also a composer whose formal invention effortlessly grafted classical influences with, and extended the range of, traditional Fado styles.
Paredes was born on 16th February 1925 in Coimbra. His father was the equally famous guitarist Artur Paredes. He is credited with popularising his chosen instrument internationally and was known as the "Man with a Thousand Fingers", in a reference to his natural virtuosity.
He began playing at the age of four and started his musical career at the age of eleven. He performed with many other artists, including Charlie Haden, and also wrote compositions for the celebrated Fado singer Amalia Rodrigues. He wrote a number of film scores, and received particular recognition for the 1971 film Verdes Anos ("Tender Years"). In 2000, the Kronos Quartet recorded two versions of "Verdes Anos" and "Romance no 1", from the first Carlos Paredes album, Guitarra Portuguesa, recorded in 1969 -1970.
During the 1950s and 1960s, being a member of the Portuguese Communist Party, he was imprisoned for opposing the Portuguese dictatorship; some of this time was spent in solitary confinement. He would walk around his cell pretending to play music, which led some prison inmates to believe he was insane. In fact he was writing compositions in his head.
When the dictatorship was overthrown, and all political prisoners were released in the aftermath of the 1974 revolution, they were widely thought of as heroes by the Portuguese — but the ever-humble Paredes always refused any such heroic status. He never said much about his time in prison except: "Many people suffered more than me".
He suffered from myelopathy, a nerve disorder which prevented him from playing for the last eleven years of his life. He died from kidney failure on 23rd July 2004, in a nursing home.
Sede E Morte
Carlos Paredes Lyrics
Instrumental
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it
More Genres
No Artists Found
More Artists
Load All
No Albums Found
More Albums
Load All
No Tracks Found
Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Search results not found
Song not found
@miguellf
porque será que quando ouvimos Carlos Paredes a tocar nos emocionamos tanto? porque será que quando ouvimos a sua guitarra a falar por ele as lágrimas nos caem? porque será que o coração se nos aperta quando o ouvimos? alguem que explique por favor, eu não tenho palavras que cheguem e tenho receio que o uqe eu possa dizer não seja suficiente para tanta beleza e talento. porque será?
@bunkerrrrrrrrrrrr
Portugal não é uma palavra, é um sentimento, sentimento expresso em Carlos Paredes que expressa em melodias.. obrigado mestre Paredes por teres pisado este mundo e nos deixares tão rica herança,
@Fleshjam
Como consegue o som de um instrumento ser uma reprodução tão perfeita da personalidade do nosso povo...ao ouvir com atenção tão bela canção apenas palavras como nostalgia, saudade, morte, tristeza e paixão me ocorrem...ora num susurro, ora num grito.
@mcandidasa
Genial. E , contrariamente a um comentário que ouvi, a respiração que se ouve intensifica a carga emocional da sua música. Deixa de ser a música de . Ele é a música.
@MARUJO54
Eternamente grato é tua Genialidade e Simplicidade Carlos Paredes. É o lavar da Alma escutar os sons mágicos que consegue tirar deste instrumento unico que é a guitarra portuguesa. Obrigado !!
@beanl
Arrepios... Não há palavras para explicar toda a beleza incumbida nas músicas deste senhor.
@LDantinhas
O melhor tocador de guitarra portuguesa de todos os tempos.
@Jmdsilva18
Artur Paredes, Carlos Paredes Duas gerações de Louvar! Coimbra nunca vos esqueceu
@mastermindVMS
nao é so o intrumento, é tambem quem o toca e compoem algo vindo do coração carlos paredes Sempre :D
@DIURKAZ
longa vai a noite, e longe vai o sono.. a cidade começa a acordar.. ouço já motores.. onde estão os pássaros?!... o alcatrão não canta e o betão não voa... e a minha mente não descança..