Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Brazil

Birth

:

March 20, 1863 in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Death

:

February 4, 1934 in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

Ernesto Nazareth was a Brazilian composer and pianist who is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in the development of Brazilian classical music. Born on March 20, 1863, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Nazareth was the son of a Portuguese immigrant and a Brazilian mother. His father was a musician who played the cavaquinho, a small stringed instrument similar to a ukulele, and his mother was a singer. Nazareth showed an early aptitude for music and began playing the piano at a young age. He received his first formal music lessons from his father and later studied with some of the leading pianists of his time, including Eduardo Moreira and João Batista de Almeida. In his early years, Nazareth was heavily influenced by the music of European composers such as Chopin and Liszt. However, he soon began to incorporate elements of Brazilian music into his compositions, creating a unique style that blended classical music with the rhythms and melodies of Brazil. Nazareth's first published composition, "Você Bem Sabe," was released in 1877 when he was just 14 years old. Over the next several years, he continued to compose and perform, gaining a reputation as one of Brazil's most talented young musicians. In 1888, Nazareth married his first wife, Maria Augusta da Silva, and the couple had two children together. However, their marriage was short-lived, and they divorced in 1893. Throughout the 1890s, Nazareth continued to compose and perform, becoming increasingly popular in Brazil and gaining recognition abroad. In 1899, he traveled to Paris to perform at the Exposition Universelle, where he was awarded a gold medal for his piano playing. Over the next several years, Nazareth continued to compose some of his most famous works, including "Odeon," "Brejeiro," and "Apanhei-te, Cavaquinho." These pieces, which blended classical music with Brazilian rhythms such as the choro and the maxixe, became hugely popular in Brazil and helped to establish Nazareth as one of the country's most important composers. In 1904, Nazareth married his second wife, Adelaide de Campos, and the couple had four children together. However, their marriage was also troubled, and they separated in 1919. Despite his personal struggles, Nazareth continued to compose and perform throughout the early 20th century, becoming a beloved figure in Brazilian music. He died on February 4, 1934, at the age of 70. Today, Nazareth is remembered as one of the most important figures in the development of Brazilian classical music. His compositions, which blended classical music with Brazilian rhythms and melodies, helped to create a uniquely Brazilian style of music that continues to influence musicians around the world. Some of Nazareth's most famous works include "Odeon," a choro that has become one of the most popular pieces in the Brazilian repertoire; "Brejeiro," a maxixe that is often played at carnival celebrations; and "Apanhei-te, Cavaquinho," a choro that has been covered by countless musicians over the years. Nazareth's music has been recorded by many of the world's leading classical musicians, including pianists Arthur Rubinstein and Nelson Freire. His legacy continues to inspire new generations of musicians, and his contributions to Brazilian music are celebrated around the world.

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