Album

What is probably the easiest way to describe the music of Ernesto Nazareth, that is, as Latin ragtime, is also the crudest simplification of it and an actual misnomer. Nazareth was a Brazilian pianist who began composing in the 1870s, nearly two decades before ragtime developed. His musical education was informal more than formal, but he was familiar with European classical music and the works of Chopin, in particular. Although the influence of Chopin shows through once in a while in his work, the popular music of Brazil is what he based his compositions on and what his music became before his death in 1934. This disc by Iara Behs includes some of his most popular tangos and other dances, including Brejeiro, Odeon, and Sarambeque, all played skillfully. She understands the shifting rhythms and syncopations, making it easy to see why Nazareth is compared to Joplin. Espalhafatoso bounces with offbeat accents and ebullience, and Apanhei-te Cavaquinho bubbles at the top of the keyboard. On the other hand, she gives the slower waltzes, such as Confidências and Epônina, soft, flowing lines and sweet or wistful melodies. The gloom of Tenebroso is of the temporary sort that won't weigh down anyone's step. The selections here demonstrate Nazareth's natural ability to combine Brazilian dance rhythms in new ways, with original, pleasing melodies. Behs' performance demonstrates why the works became classics of Brazilian music.

© Patsy Morita, All Music Guide

CD 1
Ernesto Nazareth Composer Espalhafatoso Work Iara Behs Piano
1	Espalhafatoso	2:30			$0.99
Ernesto Nazareth Composer Brejeiro, tango for piano Work Iara Behs Piano
2	Brejeiro, tango for piano	1:57			$0.99
Ernesto Nazareth Composer Confidências, for piano, Op.142 Work Iara Behs Piano
3	Confidências, for piano, Op.142	7:05			$1.49
Ernesto Nazareth Composer Escovado, tango for piano Work Iara Behs Piano
4	Escovado, tango for piano	4:11			$0.99
Ernesto Nazareth Composer Nenê (Baby), tango for piano Work Iara Behs Piano
5	Nenê (Baby), tango for piano	3:20			$0.99
Ernesto Nazareth Composer Ameno resedá , polka for piano, Op 144 Work Iara Behs Piano
6	Ameno resedá , polka for piano, Op 144	2:35			$0.99
Ernesto Nazareth Composer Turbilhão de beijos (Whirlwind of Kisses), waltz for piano Work Iara Behs Piano
7	Turbilhão de beijos (Whirlwind of Kisses), waltz for piano	6:54			$0.99
Ernesto Nazareth Composer Gaúcho, for piano Work Iara Behs Piano
8	Gaúcho, for piano	2:45			$0.99
Ernesto Nazareth Composer Plangente, tango basiliero com estilo de Habanera for piano Work Iara Behs Piano
9	Plangente, tango basiliero com estilo de Habanera for piano	5:12			$0.99
Ernesto Nazareth Composer Topázio Líqüido, tango for piano Work Iara Behs Piano
10	Topázio Líqüido, tango for piano	3:16			$0.99
Ernesto Nazareth Composer Ouro sobre azul, tango for piano Work Iara Behs Piano
11	Ouro sobre azul, tango for piano	3:16			$0.99
Ernesto Nazareth Composer Sarambeque, tango for piano Work Iara Behs Piano
12	Sarambeque, tango for piano	2:59			$0.99
Ernesto Nazareth Composer Epônina, waltz for piano Work Iara Behs Piano
13	Epônina, waltz for piano	5:47			$0.99
Ernesto Nazareth Composer Escorregando, tango brasileiro for piano Work Iara Behs Piano
14	Escorregando, tango brasileiro for piano	2:37			$0.99
Ernesto Nazareth Composer Tenebroso, tango for piano Work Iara Behs Piano
15	Tenebroso, tango for piano	3:19			$0.99
Ernesto Nazareth Composer Odeon, Brazilian tango for piano, Op.146 Work Iara Behs Piano
16	Odeon, Brazilian tango for piano, Op.146	3:09			$0.99
Ernesto Nazareth Composer Apanhei-te cavaquinho, Choro (tango) for piano Work Iara Behs Piano
17	Apanhei-te cavaquinho, Choro (tango) for piano	2:33			$0.99