Portuguese Musical Moment

If you want to learn about the culture of Portugal, listen to the music from the streets and cafes at night. The concert begins before most of the audience arrives late to take their seats. All eyes focus on the musical leader as he/she gives a detailed description of each selection, As a respectful silence settles over the crowd, the songs unfold with little rush to finish. Frequently, a musician will challenge them self to perform an elaborate improvisation of the main theme, ending with a raucous show of applause from the audience. Such solidarity of emotion clearly demonstrates that the music itself matters most here and is a uniting force in this country. One leaves with a feeling that they have been part of a special life moment.