Imagine walking through the streets of Rio de Janeiro in the early 20th century. The sound of a piano echoes in the distance, blending with the chatter of people, the rhythm of horse-drawn carriages, and the humid heat of the Carioca summer. Suddenly, a captivating melody catches your attention: it’s something new yet familiar as if it captures the city’s soul in musical notes. That melody could very well be “Odeon,” one of the most famous creations by Ernesto Nazareth, a composer who knew how to transform the everyday into art like no one else. And the story behind this piece? Well, it’s as rich as the chords that compose it. Let’s dive into it together, slowly, like someone enjoying a good choro session.
Ernesto Nazareth: The Man Who Lived Music
Before we talk about “Odeon,” it’s worth getting to know the maestro behind the work. Ernesto Júlio de Nazareth was born in Rio de Janeiro on March 20, 1863, at a time when the city was a cultural melting pot, bubbling with European, African, and Indigenous influences. The son of a customs broker and an amateur pianist, he had his first contact with music as a child, through his mother, Carolina, who taught him to play the piano. It didn’t take long for young Ernesto’s talent to become evident.
Over time, Nazareth became an exceptional pianist and a prolific composer, leaving a legacy of over 200 pieces, most written for solo piano. His music is a unique blend: he brought the sophistication of classical composers like Chopin and Liszt but gave it a Brazilian flavor, incorporating rhythms like the maxixe and the Brazilian tango. This way of uniting the erudite with the popular made him an essential figure in the development of choro, a genre that is purely Brazilian.
Nazareth lived music intensely. In addition to composing, he worked playing piano in cinemas and theaters, accompanying silent films—a common practice at the time. He was an artist of the people but with one foot in the concert hall. And it was precisely in this setting that “Odeon” was born.
“Odeon”: A Tribute to Carioca Cinema
Now, let’s get to the heart of the matter: the story of “Odeon.” The piece was composed in 1910 when Rio de Janeiro was undergoing a cultural transformation. One of the novelties of the era was the Cinema Odeon, inaugurated in Cinelândia, the heart of Carioca Entertainment. This cinema was not just a place to watch films; it was a symbol of modernity, a meeting point for artists, intellectuals, and the curious. And Nazareth, who already played in venues like this, found special inspiration there.
It is said that he wrote “Odeon” as a tribute to that space. The name of the piece comes from the cinema itself, which in turn was inspired by an ancient tradition: “Odeon” refers to Greek and Roman theaters, places of music and performances. In Brazil, the term was adopted to name cinemas and theaters, and the Carioca Odeon was one of the most emblematic. Thus, by naming his composition, Nazareth not only celebrated the cinema but also connected his music to a broader idea of art and culture.
The exact date of composition is 1910, although some sources mention 1909 due to its publication by Casa Mozart. However, it is most accepted that he wrote it in 1910, solidifying it as a landmark of that vibrant year.
The Meaning of “Odeon”: A Tango with Brazilian Soul
“Odeon” is classified as a Brazilian tango, but don’t be misled by the name: this tango has little to do with the passionate drama of Argentina. In Brazil, the Brazilian tango is an evolution of the maxixe, full of syncopation and with a light, almost danceable mood. In “Odeon,” Nazareth captures this perfectly, creating a piece that is lively but with moments of gentle melancholy—something that Choro does like no other.
The structure of the music follows a typical choro format: a sequence of sections (A-B-A-C-A) that alternate different melodies. Part A is full of energy, with fast notes that seem to skip across the piano. Part B brings a calmer, more lyrical tone, while Part C introduces a new theme, keeping everything fresh and interesting. It’s like a musical conversation, with each part bringing something new to the table.
For Nazareth, “Odeon” was more than a simple composition. It was a reflection of the Rio de Janeiro of the time: cosmopolitan, joyful, and full of life. And the public soon realized this.
Main Recordings: From Nazareth to Elis Regina
“Odeon” didn’t take long to win the hearts of Brazilians—and the world. One of the first recordings was made by Nazareth himself in 1912, on a piano roll, a kind of “record” of the time. Listening to this version is like traveling back in time, feeling the composer’s energy in every note.
Over the years, the piece came to life in various interpretations. Guitarist Dilermando Reis, for example, made a beautiful arrangement for guitar that helped take “Odeon” beyond the piano. Mandolinist Jacob do Bandolim brought his magic when recording it, showing how it fits perfectly into the Choro universe. Pianist Arthur Moreira Lima also left his mark, with a version that highlights the technical richness of the work.
But one of the most surprising reinventions came in 1968 when Vinicius de Moraes wrote new lyrics for “Odeon.” With lines like “It was a cinema called Odeon / It had a heart on its facade,” the music became a song and was recorded by names like Elis Regina and Nara Leão. The original lyrics are by Hubaldo Maurício, but Vinicius’s version brought a new audience to the piece, proving that it could transcend styles and generations.
The Role of “Odeon” in Choro
If Choro is the grandfather of samba and a distant relative of jazz, “Odeon” is one of its anthems. This genre was born in 19th-century Brazil, mixing European dances like the polka with Afro-Brazilian rhythms. The result is music full of improvisation, technique, and emotion—and “Odeon” has all of that.
The piece is a classic example of choro due to its structure, use of syncopation, and the way it balances virtuosity and melody. Composed at a time when Choro was establishing itself as a genre, it helped show what this music was capable of. It’s no wonder that to this day, it is a guaranteed presence in Choro sessions, where musicians gather to play and improvise.
Nazareth, by the way, is seen as one of the pillars of Choro. He paved the way for other giants, like Pixinguinha, who took the genre to new heights. And “Odeon” was one of the pieces that paved that road.
Influences on Modern Music
The influence of “Odeon” didn’t stop at Choro. Its striking melody and rich harmony echoed in other styles over time. Heitor Villa-Lobos, for example, admired Nazareth and drew from this source to create his erudite works with a Brazilian accent. In popular music, “Odeon” inspired arrangements in bossa nova and even in jazz, with musicians exploring its possibilities for improvisation.
The idea of mixing the sophisticated with the accessible, so present in “Odeon,” also anticipated movements like bossa nova, which years later would unite samba and complex harmonies. Even in more distant genres, like instrumental rock, the melodic structure of the piece has served as a basis for experimentation. It’s a piece of music that isn’t confined to one era or style—it simply continues to converse with those who listen to it.
Arrangements for Piano and Guitar
Since “Odeon” was born on the piano, let’s start there. The original version is a delightful challenge for pianists: full of fast scales, arpeggios, and mood changes. Playing “Odeon” is like dancing with the keys, requiring technique but also sensitivity to capture its lightness. That’s why it’s so common in recitals and piano competitions in Brazil.
The guitar entered the story because of choro and the instrument’s popularity among Brazilians. Solo guitar arrangements, like those by Dilermando Reis, rearrange the piece for six strings while maintaining its essence. In groups, the guitar often provides accompaniment, with chords and counterpoints that support the main melody. It’s a natural adaptation, as the guitar is almost a symbol of Brazilian music.
Arrangement for Violin, Guitar, and Acoustic Bass
Other Instruments: A Musical Feast
In choro, “Odeon” comes to life in various formations. The bandolim, with its high, crystalline sound, is a favorite—think of Jacob do Bandolim plucking the melody with that unique swing. The flute, agile and expressive, also shines, bringing lightness to the fast passages and a lyrical tone to the calmer parts.
The clarinet, with its warm timbre, adds a layer of emotion to the piece, while the violin brings a lyrical quality that makes the melody sound like a voice. These instruments not only play what Nazareth wrote but also improvise, creating variations that are the soul of choro. It’s common to hear “Odeon” in a session with this whole crew—bandolim, flute, clarinet, violin—each adding their special touch.
Arrangement for Bandolim and Guitar
A Legacy That Keeps Playing
More than a hundred years after being composed, “Odeon” remains alive. It’s a piece of 1910 Rio de Janeiro, but it’s also timeless, connecting past and present with its notes. Whether on the original piano, the plucked guitar, or the improvisation of a choro session, Nazareth’s music continues to enchant.
By telling this story, we celebrate not only “Odeon” but also Ernesto Nazareth—a composer who transformed the everyday into art and helped give Brazil a unique musical voice. How about grabbing a coffee, choosing a recording, and letting “Odeon” take you on this journey? The music is there, waiting for you.
