This disc is part of a series of four devoted to recordings by Brazilian pianist Arthur Moreira-Lima to the music of his compatriot, Ernesto Nazareth. The total absence of documentary material other than a track list is frustrating, but these recordings were apparently made in the mid-'70s, with the CDs mixing material from various sources. Nazareth's music is quite close in its position vis-à-vis classical and popular traditions to that of Scott Joplin in the U.S.: it is rooted in popular dance rhythms, but it also follows examples of European composers going back to Chopin. The most common rhythm is the tango, which is somewhat different in its configuration from the rhythms used in Astor Piazzolla's tango. Indeed, for North American listeners the most fascinating aspect of these tangos may be the degree to which they resemble Scott Joplin's more meditative piano rags. The polkas have a similar lyrical tone and are more squarish not so much in the left hand as in the basic melodic material. Probably the most ornate material is heard in the four waltzes on the disc. The tunes are never less than attractive and in many cases extremely sticky in the brain. The sound engineering was impressive for its time, and the transfers pose no problem. The only real issue here is that four CDs of Nazareth may be a lot for listeners without a special interest in this Brazilian composer, but as a single disc this one doesn't necessarily make an ideal sampler inasmuch as Nazareth also wrote pieces less firmly tied to dance rhythms. Recommended for those who can supply the background material and knowledge for themselves. by James Manheim
ERNESTO NAZARETH (1863-1934)
Piano Works 1
Arthur Moreira Lima (piano)
(1977) Discos Marcus Pereira / Mp3 / CBR320k / scans
O Púbis da Rosa
