In PERFUME, a project split into two volumes, Brazilian pianist Karin Fernandes delves into the precious legacy of composer and conductor Chiquinha Gonzaga, focusing on one of her most emblematic genres: waltzes.

Winner of 21 national awards, including the “X Eldorado Music Prize” in 1999, Karin dedicated herself to a deep and meticulous recording of Chiquinha’s waltz repertoire, initially inspired and struck by one of her pieces, Harmonias do Coração. The breadth and quality of the scores greatly impressed the pianist, prompting her to split the project into two volumes. In this first album, previously unknown waltzes, unfamiliar to the general public, are introduced. Notable songs include Walkyria” (from the Operetta “A Corte na Roça”) – widely celebrated in its time and which became the theme of the conductor’s talisman brooch – and …A Rir o Santo Dia… (from the Zarzuela “Dama de Ouros”), a lyrical-dramatic expression of Spanish origin that greatly captivated audiences in the 19th century.

The repertoire also encompasses personal tributes, like Rosa, dedicated to Chiquinha’s mother after a touching reunion, and tributes such as Carlos Gomes and Saudade, in memory of the beloved friend and composer. Beyond the essential revisit to Harmonias do Coração, the album explores other waltzes, with standouts like Yara “Coração de Fogo” and Borboleta.

Perfume: Chiquinha Gonzaga Waltzes, Vol. 1 is not just a showcase of the pianist’s technical virtuosity in her performances, but above all, it pays tribute to the emotions evoked by Chiquinha’s waltzes, immortalized in these albums.