César Guerra-Peixe

Who was César Guerra-Peixe?

César Guerra-Peixe was a Brazilian violinist, composer, and conductor.

Guerra-Peixe was born in Petrópolis, son of Portuguese immigrants with Romani origins. His music can be heard in many Brazilian films, such as Terra é Sempre Terra, O Canto do Mar, Quero Essa Mulher Tanto Assim, Riacho de Sangue, Meu Nome é Lampião, and Soledade.

In 1965 Guerra Peixe won the Medalha do Mérito Carlos Gomes, bestowed by the Guanabara State government, in recognition of his dedication to developing Brazilian culture.

During his late years he worked as professor at Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais where he helped to form a new generation of Brazilian arrangers.

As an ethnomusicologist, he wrote an important book Os Maracatus do Recife on Maracatu. He died in Rio de Janeiro.