Paulinho da Viola is often highlighted as a traditionalist. But, what tradition? The debate on the samba configured a critical evaluation of the semi-eruditism characteristic of samba-canção, contrary to colloquialism of samba malandro. While the former would have a more subjective basis, the other would figure works universe and its antagonisms. Forming the Brazilian social tragedy, the samba of disillusion by Paulinho da Viola overcomes the dichotomy between colloquialism and semi-scholarship. The emancipation of materials promoted by Paulinho da Viola replaces people not as matter, but as a driving force for Brazilian music. Based on the interpretation of some of his sambas, this article presents how the tragic character of the sambas by Paulinho da Viola are the presentiment of promesse du bonheur figuration.
Paulinho da Viola; semi-eruditism; colloquialism; emancipation of musical materials