Gismonti began his formal music studies at the age of six on piano. After studying classical music for 15 years, he went to Paris to study orchestration and analysis with Nadia Boulanger and the composer Jean Barraqué, a disciple of Arnold Schönberg and Anton Webern. After his return to Brazil, Gismonti began to explore other musical genres. He was attracted by Maurice Ravel's approach to orchestration and chord voicings, as well as by choro, a Brazilian instrumental popular music featuring various types of guitars. In order to play this music he learned to play guitar, beginning on the 6-string classical instrument and switching to a ten-stringed guitar in 1973. He spent two years experimenting with different tunings and searching for new sounds. This exploration of timbre is further reflected in his use of kalimbas, shō, voice, bells, etc. By the early '70s, he had laid the groundwork for his current style which incorporated elements drawn from musicians as wide-ranging as Django Reinhardt and Jimi Hendrix. In the 1970s and 1980s he collaborated several times with Naná Vasconcelos recording for ECM. Some best-selling albums such as the Brazilian released eponymous Egberto Gismonti were never officially released in the US.
Tango
Egberto Gismonti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Com as pessoas no seu casco girando
Eles falavam de sereias e ciganos
Pelas estradas que eu teria de seguir
Mas é preciso iniciar a abordagem
Porque morremos, todos os dias
Eu não podia abandonar o sol latino
E as pessoas continuam girando
Pelas estradas que eu teria de seguir
Mas é preciso iniciar a abordagem
Porque morremos, todos os dias
The lyrics of Egberto Gismonti's song "Tango in 2-3" showcase a person's encounter with a boat in the morning, with people on board discussing mermaids and gypsies and the roads that the singer would have to follow. The person realizes that they must begin to approach life differently, rather than simply going through the motions each day. The line "porque morremos, todos os dias" ("because we die, every day") highlights the impermanence of life and the need to appreciate every moment.
The boat and its passengers can be interpreted as symbols for the journey of life and the different paths that people can take. The mention of mermaids and gypsies adds an air of mysticism and adventure to the song, underscoring the idea that life is full of unexpected twists and turns. The repetition of the phrase "é preciso iniciar a abordagem" ("it is necessary to start the approach") serves as a reminder that we must actively engage with life and make the most of every opportunity that comes our way.
Overall, "Tango in 2-3" offers a thought-provoking reflection on the brevity of life and the importance of living it to the fullest. The song encourages listeners to take risks, follow their dreams, and embrace the unknown rather than simply going through the motions of everyday life.
Line by Line Meaning
Uma manhã eu vi passar um barcando
One morning, I saw a boat going past with people aboard spinning in its hull
Com as pessoas no seu casco girando
With people spinning in its hull
Eles falavam de sereias e ciganos
They spoke about mermaids and gypsies
Pelas estradas que eu teria de seguir
Along the roads that I would have to follow
Mas é preciso iniciar a abordagem
But it's necessary to start the approach
Porque morremos, todos os dias
Because we all die everyday
Eu não podia abandonar o sol latino
I couldn't abandon the Latin sun
E as pessoas continuam girando
And the people keep spinning
Eles falavam de sereias e ciganos
They spoke about mermaids and gypsies
Pelas estradas que eu teria de seguir
Along the roads that I would have to follow
Mas é preciso iniciar a abordagem
But it's necessary to start the approach
Porque morremos, todos os dias
Because we all die everyday
Writer(s): Egberto Gismonti, G. E. Carneiro
Contributed by Bella I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Matheus Oliveira
0:16 queria dizer que quando cai nesse RÉ super grave do sintetizador eu vou à loucura sempre. Aliás a utilização do sintetizador nessa musica é incrivel pqp
Matheus Oliveira
@Cesar b costa valeuuu!!
Cesar b costa
órgão elétrico, não synth
Carol Maia
Alguém sabe como eu consigo a partitura dessa música?
SIRONEDRAGON
cool : )
Erman Erman
ALC WHADDUP MA G!!
Erman Erman
@João Scheufler https://youtu.be/7jG7WmkxQUk
João Scheufler
@Erman Erman what song he sampled this?
Erman Erman
@Terrpsauce ha?
Terrpsauce
INB 96