European Ghosts presents: Viola Braguesa. An interview with Vasco Ribeiro Casais

About Vasco: Portuguese multi-instrumentalist musician (Guitars – Classica, Folk, Eléctrica; Cavaquinho; Braguesa; Nyckelharpa; Bouzouki; Bagpipes – Transmontana, Galega;) who has developed relevant work in various areas (Classic, Traditional, Rock, Electronica) with greater relevance for the fusion of various styles. Founder of groups such as Seiva, Dazkarieh, Omiri and the structures Bigorna Hepta Trad, Ferradura and Repasseado. Composer, arranger, producer, entrepreneur. He has worked as a musician/producer/composer with Dazkarieh, Seiva, Orchestra de Foles, Uxu Kalhus, Ne Ladeiras, Carlos Mendes, and many more. About Violas de Arame ( The wire violas) and Viola Braguesa: The popular Portuguese Viola arrived to this day in various forms and names: Braguesa, Toeira, Amarantina, da Terra, Campaniça e Beiroa. Apparently distinct, they are after all popular expressions belonging to the same group of string instruments, the wire violas The Viola Braguesa is the great popular instrument of the Portuguese Northwest, from the whole of Entre Douro e Minho. Important in the dominant music-instrumental styles of the region, such as "chulas", “rusgas” and “desafios” (challenge songs). It is played solo or accompanying the singing, sometimes alongside the cavaquinho, sometimes alongside the mandolin or rabeca (ancient traditional fiddle) and above all the guitar. Now every day more replaced by accordion or harmonica which tend to replace the chordphones and relegate them to second flat.