Violaine Sananes is a French classical guitarist whose playing combines refined classical training with a deep affection for song-like, lyrical repertoire. Her performances for Siccas Guitars stand out for their unhurried phrasing and beautiful control of tone colour. You can read more about her in our artist profile of Violaine Sananes.
In this video she plays Samba em Prelúdio, one of the most beloved songs to come out of the Brazilian bossa nova era, on a Siccas Luthiers Recital Traditional guitar.
About Samba em Prelúdio
Samba em Prelúdio was written in 1962 by the Brazilian guitarist and composer Baden Powell together with the poet and diplomat Vinícius de Moraes, one of the founding figures of bossa nova. The song is a lament of loneliness — its famous opening line, 'Eu sem você não tenho porquê' ('Without you I have no reason'), sets the tone for a melody of aching, falling phrases over rich, saudade-laden harmony.
The piece is a perfect example of what made the Baden Powell–Vinícius partnership so remarkable: classical craftsmanship in the guitar writing, samba and Afro-Brazilian rhythm underneath, and a melody that any singer — or any guitar — can carry. On solo classical guitar, the arrangement lets the instrument play both roles at once, the vocal line floating above the pulsing bass.
Baden Powell and the Guitar
Baden Powell de Aquino (1937–2000) was one of the greatest guitarists Brazil ever produced. Trained in classical guitar from childhood, he fused that technique with samba, jazz and the Afro-Brazilian traditions of Bahia, creating a personal style that influenced generations of players worldwide. His collaborations with Vinícius de Moraes — including the famous 'Afro-sambas' — belong to the core of twentieth-century Brazilian music.
For classical guitarists, Baden Powell's music offers the same rewards as the Spanish and Latin American concert repertoire: idiomatic writing by someone who knew the instrument intimately, and music that audiences respond to immediately.
The Guitar: Siccas Luthiers Recital Traditional
The Recital Traditional from our own Siccas Luthiers line is a cedar-top concert guitar built in the classical Spanish tradition — warm, direct and singing, which suits Brazilian repertoire beautifully. You can find the instrument here in our shop, and explore the tonal differences between tops in our guide to spruce and cedar guitars.
Watch the Performance
For more repertoire discoveries, browse our overview of famous classical guitar pieces and our profiles of the great classical guitarists.
