Marta Pereira da Costa: Tiny Desk Concert

Felix Contreras | November 15, 2023
From the very first beat in this performance, it's clear we are being transported to another time and space with Marta Pereira da Costa's enchanting time behind the Tiny Desk.

Considered to be the first and only woman to professionally master the traditional Portuguese guitar used in fado music, Pereira da Costa caught my attention in a crowded bar in Austin, Texas in 2019 during South by Southwest. In fact, with echoes of Bob Boilen and Stephen Thompson's experience with Laura Gibson that gave birth to the Tiny Desk concert, I also wanted to hear Pereira da Costa's melodic fingerpicking prowess without the noisy crowd.

Accompanied by second guitarist João José Pita Junior and percussionist Pedro Segundo, the trio bridges centuries of history with immaculate playing and plenty of smiles. As Pereira da Costa states in between songs, the entire performance is a musical journey through her homeland, from land to sea and everything in between.

Fado has achieved international recognition outside of Portugal among the musically curious, and I usually associate it with a variety of renowned vocalists. But Pereira da Costa reminds us to pay attention to the accompanists and their instruments for a deeper appreciation of tradition and music made in the moment.

SET LIST
"Terra"
"Movimento"
"Encontro"
"Minha Alma"
"Dia de Feira"

MUSICIANS
Marta Pereira da Costa: guitar
João José Pita Junior: guitar
Pedro Segundo: percussion

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Felix Contreras
Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Maia Stern
Audio Assistant: Neil Tevault
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Photographer: Michael Zamora
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Hazel Cills, Kara Frame
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

#nprmusic #tinydesk #martaperieradacosta

[listofromantics]

I'm always impressed how NPR's sound engineers manage to get such good, clean recordings.

[abnerbermudes]

Não tem como ouvir e não se emocionar.

[sharonammirati]

So wonderful to see a woman rocking the Portuguese guitar, traditionally a masculine endeavor. What an amazing trio, loved this.❤

[kelsocamacho]

Une merveille... Stupéfiante... Elle pourrait faire Un duo avec Dulce Pontes

[AnaOliveira_]

It's funny how you just listen to the first notes and you can automatically tell it's Portuguese. Coming from a Portuguese person, I guess that's why. I grew up listening to this stuff.

[NippoColor]

The percussionist is the happiest guy I've ever seen playing.

[andre_simoes_pt]

I'm Portuguese and I've never heard of her before, my fault. Fado is not a genre that I put on my playlist, but as a Portuguese there's something about the portuguese guitar sound that touches me and even makes me emotional, it's like a sound that I can see, I can see the landscapes of my country, I can see the people, I can see moments of my life and of our collective life as a country.

[MrJoaoTraquete]

If you miss somebody..
If you're longing for someone or something..
If you're proud of your past and ancestors..
If you ever felt extremely happy or sad..

This music will make you feel something inside yourself if you're a proud Portuguese, hope it can do the same for others.

Viva Portugal!

[igorcarl]

I am Brazilian and see that, sadly, many Brazilians have been brainwashed against everything Portuguese. What a loss... Portuguese music is deeply ingrained in our souls, even for those who don't know it. In its best moments, Portuguese music takes me to the heroic era of the great discoveries and the birth of my own country. Marta and her Portuguese guitar represent this perfectly. Thank you for bringing her to the Tiny Desk Concerts.

[papakonare]

Je suis sénégalais, ne compreant pas le portugais, cependant le FADO a touché mon coeur et mon âme au plus profond. Merci de cette découverte.

[scottpfenninger]

That percussionist absolutely living his best life. This was a fantastic set! Thank you all.

[coreyhathaway]

Experiencing new music is always fun. Finding music like this is more than just an experience, it is pure joy! Thank you NPR, and thank you Marta, Joao, and Pedro.

[bigaspaulo]

So nice to hear the Portuguese guitar outside the realm of fado. It still makes me tear up, *so* beautiful!

[kanggaf]

O melhor do som de vocês é a sensação de paz e alegria que invade nossa alma! Obrigado por sua arte!

[doc]

The pride of Portugal and its people. Marta is perhaps the greatest Portuguese guitar player ever. When she plays traditional old songs we all seem to know by blood, she can make your feet dance, your heart smile, or your eyes fill with tears. A Treasure to Us., the descendants of the Portuguese people.

[ramonblasco]

Quina meravella, es tan bonic escoltar vos. Felicitats i gracies

[charlavenant]

My wife and I took a holiday in Portugal about 8 years ago and we immediately fell in love with this land and its people. This beautiful music conjures up the spirit of wonderment which we discovered there. Beautiful country, beautiful people, beautiful music. Bravo

[Zumou]

Portugal is proud of you Marta, Pedro and João. Portugal caralho! ❤

[bleeknoir]

Nothing sounds like the Portuguese guitar. Wonderful stuff.

[joaovascosilva]

Excelente prestação musical... que nos deve orgulhar na nossa alma lusitana!... Obrigado à Marta e aos seus companheiros... sendo que a "guitarra" de 7 cordas empresta uma qualidade de graves pouco habitual como acompanhamento!... Sou compositor como guitarrista e baixista... logo, é um privilégio... apreciar estas sonoridades raras!... Um apreço também especial para a requintada descrição da percussão!... Uma boa viagem para vós... dentro das nossas paisagens musicais!...