Before Choro, there was Lundu!
Lundu is an Afro-Brazilian rhythm that became very popular in the 18th Century in colonial Brazil. It had a huge impact on the way Brazilian musicians started interpreting the Portuguese "Modinhas" after they became popular in the 19th Century when the Portuguese royal family moved to Brazil (1808). Modinhas and Lundu became two of the primary sources for various 19th-century rhythms associated with choro, including the Brazilian polca, maxixe, the Brazilian tango, xotes, and "marchas".
"Lundus are characterized by varying structure, the interplay of tonic and dominant harmony, and strummed chords layered atop a syncopated rhythm reminiscent of traditional West African music." ( https://doi.org/10.1093/em/cal117 )
You can read a little about it here:
There is also a link to one of the first Lundus that we know of: An anonymous piece from the early 19th century that was compiled by Mario de Andrade in the early 20th century:
Without the 18th-century Lundu, Brazilian music in the 19th and 20th centuries would not be the same - and Choro would not be what we now love to play.
I love the juxtaposition of 17th century harpsichord over african drums in the recording! A real fusion of cultures and styles.
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