Tangos and Waltzes for Piano

Pianist Iara Behs writes in the booklet that, until a few years ago, no serious pianist would dare to include Nazareth in their repertoire but that she never met anyone who did not like his music. To me he sounds like a Brazilian Chopin. Although Nazareth's music frequently sounds carefree, this does not reflect his troubled life. Born in Rio de Janeiro, he worked as a pianist in cinemas and there was a protest when his works were included in a concert at the National School of Music. Eventually, in 1933 he was committed to a psychiatric hospital after the death of his wife and daugheter, but he escaped and drowned himself. Most of his music was for the piano and in the form of a dance. The seventeen pieces on this disc cover a wide range of themes and emotions. The Whirlwind of Kisses is my favorite song on the cd. Iara Behs playing is very beautiful and her comments in the booklet included with the cd on the music are insightful. If you like Chopin and good piano playing I think you will really enjoy this cd.

For the unitiated (as I was) you will discover a treasure here. The "feel" of the music, especially on the more lively numbers, is 100% Brazilian Samba. The interesting thing is that the pianist achieves that feel with no drummer, no percussion, no bells and whistles. It will take you to the Carnival in Rio. If you're a classical lover on a budget, this CD (or any other) on the Naxos label is a steal.

I 'discovered' Ernesto Nazareth about 8 years ago while surfing the internet. I found him in a composer alphabet: N is for Nazareth, the only entry under N. I always have my eye out for Brazilian music because of fond connections there. Further, Nazareth was billed as the 'King of Brazilian Ragtime' (or some such grandiose title). I play rags (please don't call me a ragtime piano player), and I have come to object to Nazareth's music being considered 'ragtime'. Nazareth's music is unique music with complex influences of which ragtime is not one. Nazareth's music is a cousin of ragtime; both are rooted in Gottschalk. It is uniquely Brazilian music- and influenced even Villa Lobos as such. It is fun, lively, witty, teasing; Nazareth makes Joplin seem very serious. Yet, the moods of Nazareth are deep. I call the music 'Nazareth'.

Iara Behs gives us a delightful sampler, showing off Nazareth's range of moods, styles, & influences in a spirited- very Brazilian- performance. The notes she writes are as touching as her piano performances, and it is worth the price just to read her sensitive description of the man and his music. I once read a review complaining that for all that Nazareth wrote everyone records the same stuff. Iara's CD is a great blend of new and familiar recordings. Her selections demonstrate thoughtfulness and purpose. However, I wish she would have played 'Fon-Fon' as it always gives me saudades for Rio de Janeiro traffic, and only Cariocas play it right.

The CD is well-recorded, faithfully replicating piano and music. If possible, I would have chosen 4.5 stars (near-excellent) rather than 5 (excellent). While Iara's brilliant expression offsets any technical error, I find some expression- specifically some ritenutos- distracting (subtract 1/2 star).

Anyone interested in piano music of any genre should enjoy this CD. If you do not yet know Nazareth, buy this CD as a treat. If you do know Nazareth, you need to buy it.