Text: Diogo Henriques | Photography: Jaime Lobo e Silva
The Ericeira Philharmonic was founded 174 years ago, in August 1849, by a priest, a notary and a teacher: respectively, Friar Vicente de São Joaquim Rodrigues Costa, António Agostinho da Costa Batalha and Joaquim Elisiário Ferreira. With no headquarters of its own, rehearsals took place by the light of oil lamps, musicians had to contribute to the cost of oil for lighting, purchase their instruments and their uniform. Its long existence is due to the dedication and persistence of many leaders, musicians, patrons and anonymous population.
In those days there were no buses, you would walk to all the fests, whether near or far: Terrugem, 18 kilometers away from Ericeira, 4 hours walking; Loures 33 km away, approximately 7 hours walking; Colares at a distance of 22 kilometers, 6 and a half hours of demanding walking.
In addition to being recreational, the Philharmonic was also therapeutic
If it was Winter, they would return to Ericeira covered in mud, if it was Summer they would return white with dust. Cheerful or broken, whenever they returned they entered the streets of the village to the sound of music.
The class of musicians, philharmonics or professionals was, at the beginning of the 20th century, a very slandered class: they were called names, created intrigues and lies and the men in the band reciprocated with what they liked: playing and blowing for hours on end, cheering up the popular festivals. They would earn a trifle, bargained, cried and other times they would earn anything.
In addition to being recreational, the Philharmonic was also therapeutic. At a fest or a local festival what would “go up” the fastest was always the wine and the performance of the Philharmonic worked as a sedative for the extravagant effects of alcohol. At other times, when there was confusion or a tussle, quite natural in popular Portuguese festivals, a good Philharmonic conductor would immediately order the attack of a “pasodoble”, a fast rhythm with tense and well-marked beats, the populars would rush to the bandstand and the interest in the ruckus would wane and it often put an end to it, but at other times police intervention was necessary.
The Philharmonic Bands still play an important role in rooting people by providing a sense of belonging to musicians and residents, to their neighborhoods and their people. They are true centers of learning and citizenship, an important pillar in the training of many young people.
“Finishing a brass band takes half an hour. Forming a brass band takes years.” (*1)
(*1) Portugal L. (2004) Ranchos Folclóricos e Bandas Filarmónicas
Photographs: Jaime Lobo e Silva – “Memórias de um escrivão”, 2016
Esta publicação também está disponível em | This article is also available in: Portuguese (Portugal)
