The album
As Mais Belas Canções de Ninar completes the children's trilogy begun in 1996 with
As Mais Belas Canções de Natal and As Mais Belas Cantigas de Roda, making up the largest phonographic collection ever produced in Brazil. Produced and executed by
Marcus Viana, the songs were recorded and mixed on 24 channels at the studio Sonhos & Sons in Belo Horizonte. The 23 lullabies were chosen from among the most beautiful of the world repertoire. There are rarities such as folk songs that date back to the Empire Ages as well as songs taken from the French, Italian, and American traditions. There are gems from the classics, such as Brahms and Schubert. The novelties include a lullaby from Madame Butterfly by Puccini as well as a song composed by Viana. On some of his tracks, Viana was pleased to include the voices of his former nursemaid (Rita Moreira), his mother (Rosa Viana), his wife (Anna), and his children (Olívia and João Pedro). In the CD booklet there is a lovely poem by the Indian writer R. Tagore, and the cover illustration is by Ana Raquel. ~ Cesar Lanzarini