Hermeto Pascoal, the ‘Wizard’ of Brazilian and worldwide music, dies at age 89.

Brazilian multi-instrumentalist Hermeto Pascoal died on Saturday (September 13th) at the age of 89. He was an instrumental music legend and globally renowned arranger who received several accolades, including the Latin Grammy.

The news was verified on Hermeto’s social media, with a plea requesting that grief not “take over”.

“With serenity and love, we announce that Hermeto Pascoal has passed to the spiritual plane, surrounded by his family and musical companions.”

Hermeto was admitted to a Rio de Janeiro hospital, but the cause of death was not reported.

“Let us listen to the wind, the birdsong, the glass of water, and the waterfall; universal music lives on,” according to the family’s posting.

And he goes on: “Whoever wishes to honour him, let a note sound on the instrument, in the voice, or in the kettle and offer it to the universe.” That is how he would have liked it.

Born in Alagoas, he was a composer and instrumentalist who played accordion, flute, saxophone, and piano, among other instruments.

Hermeto was dubbed the “Wizard” for his ability to turn noises from objects and strange sounds into music, resulting in unique tunes.

In 2018, Hermeto told Spanish daily El País that he learnt intuitively by experimenting with ideas inspired by birdsong.

Hermeto experimented with several musical styles, including forró and jazz, but claimed to create “universal music.”

Recently, online users recalled the alleged copying of the 1984 song “Papagaio Alegre” in the opening song of the 1992 cartoon “X-Men”.

In an interview with “Metrópoles” in February of this year, Hermeto stated that he did not object the purported usage of his music in the animation and that the opening theme did not constitute plagiarism of his work.

The musician also advised fans and internet users not to be concerned about the situation: “Leave it alone, don’t worry about it.”

Source: BBC | Follow Europeans24 for more updates!