Ao som de caixas, cravos, coros e rabecões: a atividade musical nos registros de São João del-Rei (1713-1750)

Abstract

The aim for understanding the musical past of the village of São João del-Rei in the first half of the seven hundred is still imprecise, despite the various references to this practice. The studies carried out analyzed little evidence in detriment of a wide range of contexts that were not contemplated. Through a documentary survey related to public power and the local religious sphere, in counterpoint with a bibliographical review on the resulting production from the 20th century onwards, this research aims to deepen and contribute to a construction of a musicological narrative of the musical activity in a interval between the formation of the village (1713) and the funeral service of Dom João V (1750). In this context, a revisit was made to the documentary sources, which led to going beyond the conventional geographic, temporal and knowledge area delimitations, for a better understanding of the social dynamics that music was promoting in that past. The results of this investigation suggest the need to reaffirm research based on primary sources, compiling various aspects of musical contexts not covered in studies carried out until then. In short, Ao som de caixas, coros, cravos e rabecões, a title inspired by references to musical instruments in the investigated sources, this research highlights the relationship between local musicians, the social transits between these individuals and the various trajectories taken by them, the festivities promoted by the Senado da Câmara de São João del-Rei, in addition to the relationships between religious associations of lay people and the spaces of musical practice in the locality.