Arthur Moreira Lima Interpreta Ernesto Nazareth

Arthur Moreira Lima

1975

Why This Album Matters

The album Arthur Moreira Lima Interpreta Ernesto Nazareth, released in 1975, represents a fundamental landmark in Brazilian discography, cementing the bridge between classical and popular music. Arthur Moreira Lima, an internationally renowned pianist with global acclaim for his interpretations of Chopin, Liszt, and Mozart, dedicated himself to the work of Ernesto Nazareth, one of Brazil's greatest composers, known as "the king of choro" and "the Brazilian Chopin". This work by Moreira Lima brought the sophistication and technical rigour of erudite performance to Nazareth's music, elevating it to a new level of recognition. The choice of such a vast repertoire, compiled into a double album, highlights the richness and complexity of Nazareth's compositions, which transition between polkas, tangos, and choros, revealing the author's melodic and rhythmic mastery. The album is not just an interpretation, but a celebration of Brazilian musical identity, presented with a brilliance and depth that capture Nazareth's essence, making it accessible to both classical music enthusiasts and the public who already revered popular music.

Context

Prior to the recording of this album, Arthur Moreira Lima had already achieved international prominence. In 1965, he secured second place in the VII International Chopin Piano Competition, in addition to the audience award and best sonata interpretation. Subsequently, he obtained third place in the Leeds International Piano Competition in 1969 and the International Tchaikovsky Competition in 1970. His career was predominantly linked to the European classical repertoire. The idea of recording an LP dedicated to Nazareth originated from the journalist and writer Sérgio Cabral, and was promptly accepted by advertiser Marcus Pereira, founder of the Discos Marcus Pereira label. Moreira Lima, who had already included Nazareth's compositions in recitals since 1966, such as a historical performance at the Teatro Municipal in Rio de Janeiro, recognised the importance and quality of the composer's work, insisting that the recording be a double album to encompass its breadth and value.

Recording

The double album Arthur Moreira Lima Interpreta Ernesto Nazareth was recorded in 1975 at Bishopsgate Hall, in London, United Kingdom. Production and sound engineering were handled by Anthony McMillon and Mark Sutton. The technical quality of the recording was considered a decisive factor in the album's success. The album was released in Brazil by the Discos Marcus Pereira label, which stood out for its catalogue dedicated to high-quality Brazilian music. The sleeve notes were written by Marcus Pereira himself.

Songs

The album features 25 compositions by Ernesto Nazareth, encompassing a vast range of his styles and moods. Among the tracks are emblematic pieces such as "Fon Fon", "Confidências", "Ameno Resedá", "Batuque", "Coração Que Sente", "Apanhei-Te Cavaquinho", "Famoso", "Floraux", "Odeon", and "Brejeiro". These compositions are a unique fusion of Brazilian rhythms, such as choro, with elements of the polka, tango, and European waltz, reflecting Nazareth's originality and genius. Arthur Moreira Lima's interpretations highlight the harmonic and melodic complexity of the works, sensitively translating both the vivacity of the tangos and polkas, and the melancholy and depth of the waltzes, such as the "exquisitely refined 'Confidências'". Critics of the time emphasised the pianist's "exact comprehension" of the "Nazarethian style", praising the ideal tempos applied to the pieces, from the tranquil "Floraux" to the super-fast "Vem cá, Branquinha".

Legacy

Arthur Moreira Lima Interpreta Ernesto Nazareth was one of the great events in Brazilian music in 1975. Critic Ronaldo Miranda, in the Jornal do Brasil, classified the LP as "an incisive contribution to the solidification of our musical culture". José Ramos Tinhorão, also in the Jornal do Brasil, considered the double LP an "obligatory work", suggesting that Nazareth himself would approve of the magnificent interpretations. The album played a crucial role in the rescue and valorisation of Ernesto Nazareth's work, presenting it to a wider audience and solidifying its place not only in Brazilian popular music, but also in the erudite repertoire. The recording became a benchmark and has been re-released in various formats over the years, including CDs in 1984 and 2004, attesting to its lasting relevance.

Rankings

Tracks

Credits

Producer

Anthony McMillon, Mark Sutton

Composed By

Ernesto Nazareth

Piano

Arthur Moreira Lima

Engineer

Anthony McMillon, Mark Sutton

Liner Notes

Marcus Pereira

Films

Arthur Moreira Lima: Um Piano Para Todos

2022

Arthur Moreira Lima is an exceptional pianist. He performed on the most important stages in the world, played with the Leningrad and Moscow Philharmonics and the Berlin and Vienna Symphonies, among many others, under the baton of great conductors such as Kurt Sanderling, Kirill Kondrashin, Mariss Jansons and Jesus Lopez-Cobos. No longer needing to shine in the world's great concert halls, today the pianist travels through rural Brazil aboard two lorries, bringing classical music to the country's most forgotten corners and democratising access to his art.

Books

The 500 Greatest Brazilian Albums of All Time

Ricardo Alexandre · 2022

The election was spearheaded by journalist Ricardo Alexandre, creator of the Discoteca Básica podcast. Ricardo consulted 162 specialists including journalists, YouTubers, podcasters, musicians, record-shop owners and producers. The result was published as a 200-page hardcover book, with graphic design by Fernando Pires.

300 Important Albums of Brazilian Music

Charles Gavin, Tárik de Souza, Carlos Calado, Arthur Dapieve · 2008

Conceived by Titãs drummer and musical researcher Charles Gavin, the 434-page book brings together covers and reviews of albums released between 1929 and 2007. The texts were written by journalists Tárik de Souza, Arthur Dapieve and Carlos Calado.

Ernesto Nazareth

Haroldo Costa · 2005

Uma biografia abrangente de Ernesto Nazareth, um dos maiores compositores brasileiros e um dos fundadores do choro. O livro de Haroldo Costa detalha a vida, obra e legado de Nazareth, fornecendo um contexto essencial para a compreensão das composições interpretadas por Arthur Moreira Lima no álbum.

Analyses

Ernesto Nazareth (1863-1934) - Obras para piano - Arthur Moreira Lima ...

pqpbach.ars.blog.br

Arthur sempre foi um top of mind entre os pianistas brasileiros, e assim continua mesmo entre pessoas que nunca viram um piano de perto. Isso talvez explique o imenso sucesso, entre outros, do seu "Piano na Estrada" e da coleção de discos que ele vendeu junto à revista "Caras" nos anos 90.

Arthur Moreira Lima

arthurmoreiralima.com.br

Decidimos gravar dois discos, juntando-os num álbum. Porque o silêncio em relação à Ernesto Nazareth era antigo e sua obra de extensão e qualidades raras. E as mesmas razões que nos fizeram acreditar em Nazareth, como autor, levaram-nos a acreditar em Arthur Moreira Lima como intérprete.

Arthur Moreira Lima

arthurmoreiralima.com.br

Eles revivem Ernesto Nazareth, na interpretação magistral dos "ágeis dedos de feltro" de Arthur Moreira Lima, como diz Eurico Nogueira França no texto que acompanha estes discos, cuja leitura recomendo, com veemência.

Um clássico da Marcus Pereira comentado pelos críticos Eurico Nogueira ...

revistadochoro.com

Uma das obras mais conhecidas da Gravadora Discos Marcus Pereira é o álbum duplo do pianista Arthur Moreira Lima interpretando Ernesto Nazareth, "Arthur Moreira Lima interpreta Ernesto Nazareth".

Discogs

Arthur Moreira Lima Interpreta Ernesto Nazareth – Discogs

discogs.com