Ronda dos Quatro Caminhos is one of the most important groups of the Portuguese trad-folk music scene. Since 1983 Ronda recorded 13 albums (LP’s and CD’s) and performed in several countries all over the world. In concert, Ronda presents a selection of Portuguese traditional songs, from the north to the south of Portugal, including Azores and Madeira Islands.

In 2003, Ronda dos Quatro Caminhos produced the most important CD of the year in Portugal “Terra de Abrigo” (10500 copies sold!). In this CD participated: Cordoba Symphonic Orchestra (Spain);  Alentejo Polyphonic Choirs;  Amina Alaoui (Morocco); Katia Guerreiro  and Pedro Caldeira Cabral (Portugal); from Spain – Andaluzia - Esperanza Fernandez (Flamenco singer) and  José António Rodriguez (Flamenco guitar player).

Discography: “Ronda dos Quatro Caminhos” (1984), “Cantigas do Sete Estrelo” (1985);“Canções Tradicionais Infantis” (1985); “Amores de Maio” (1986); “Fados Velhos” (1987); “O Melhor da Ronda” (1989); “Romarias” (1991); “Uma Noite de Música Tradicional” (1994); “Recantos” (1997); “Outras Terras” (1999),  “Alçude” double live CD (2001) and “Terra de Abrigo” (2003). In Octobe 2007, another CD will be released.

TERRA DE ABRIGO (CD of the year 2004)

Alentejo was once the East of the Al-Andalus, a region named after the Muslim presence between the 8^th and the 15^th century in the south of the Iberian Peninsula. Although in Portugal they stayed only until the middle of the 13^th the marks are notorious in every part of the south, in the food, the architecture and even the language. In five centuries they had to left something behind. Most of the people say that the peasants we hear in this record are one of the evidences. That is not proved until the moment and we don’t know if someday it will be.

Nevertheless in Alentejo there’s a tradition of polyphonic choirs like in other parts of the Mediterranean Basin. Apart all the influences, links and roots that we can hear in that beautiful way of singing, that music exists as a native and authentic way of expression in that part of Portugal. 

This record does not pretend to be an ethnomusicology treaty, but only a recreation and an attempt to join the classical with the popular and to link people who live in the same areas of influences.

After all, Alentejo was part of the Al-Andalus, like Andaluzia did.