Kohai, senpai, and listening as a method

Abstract

The terms senpai and kohai refer to a mode of relationship among students where the more experienced, the senpai, serves as a reference for the less experienced, the kohai. This text, written from the perspective of a kohai, seeks to briefly present some aspects of composer Rodolfo Caesar’s work, whether in the realm of musical creation or in his navigation through the winding paths of academic life, highlighting the uniqueness of his contributions in both fields. Rooted in an education strongly influenced by experimentation in Brazil and France, Caesar’s thought on listening, expressed in works and writings over more than four decades, stands out for its originality and elegance.