Tico Tico no Fubá
Zequinha de Abreu, arr. Ben Tordoff
Composed:
1917 Arranged:
2022 Grouping:
C+sSATBb Duration:
02:30
Tico Tico was composed as a Brazilian "chôro" (lament) instrumental but carries the suffix "sépeca" (cheeky) indicating it's playful nature. It depicts a sparrow darting in and stealing cornmeal from a barn. The title was later changed to Tico Tico no Fubá (sparrow in the bran) to avoid confusion with another earlier choro piece, and words were added for several recordings in the 1930's and 1940's, both in Portuguese and English.
This arrangement is based on an early score and was made to show off one of the more rarely seen members of the saxophone family - the Tenor in C or "C Melody". An alternative part is provided for the more usual Bb Tenor, although it is somewhat harder. Alternatives to the sopranino and bass parts are also provided for soprano and baritone respectively.
© 2022 Ben Tordoff
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