The musical exercise in the poetry of Manuel Bandeira

Abstract

Music presents itself as a fundamental agent in the life and poetic work of Manuel Bandeira. Few authors in Brazilian literature have taken musical ambition to such dramatic consequences within the text or even projected a similar score-like interest in their writings. The cult of Euterpe breaks into the life of the author of Opus 10 in several ways: through a detailed study of musical treatises; in his attempt, without much success, to learn how to play the piano and guitar; in the acquaintanceship with great composers who have set his poems to music; through his refined activity as a music columnist, a task he performed with magnificent critical aplomb. Nevertheless, it is in his poetic texts that musical activity stands out more. The purpose of this article is to address some of these musical incursions in A Cinza das Horas, the debut book by the poet from Pernambuco. Through a formal approach to the poems "À beira d'água", "Ruço" and "Desencanto", we will show how Bandeira mobilizes language in order to allude to the musical universe.