Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer now has special song to celebrate its 90th anniversary

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – “A city of rare beauty, arms open over Guanabara, soapstone, the Carrara heart, beating strong on a clear night.” These are the first verses of the song “Alma Carioca, Cristo Redentor,” by musician and composer Moacyr Luz, in honor of Christ the Redeemer monument’s 90th anniversary, to be celebrated on October 12.

Released yesterday by the União Brasileira de Compositores (UBC), in partnership with Sony Music and the Christ the Redeemer Sanctuary, the song is available on all digital platforms and is sung by a group of artists that includes Zeca Pagodinho, Maria Rita, Diogo Nogueira, Mart’nália, Fagner, Paula Toller, Xande de Pilares, Fernanda Abreu, Padre Omar, Sandra de Sá, Jorge Aragão, Toni Garrido, Moacyr Luz and Bruno Gouveia.

The entity’s executive director Marcelo Castello Branco said that the idea was brought to him by Adriano de Martini, who expressed interest from the Rio de Janeiro Archdiocese in having a song to celebrate the monument’s 90th anniversary, a symbol of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil.

“Since the UBC is the composer’s home, I thought we could look for a composer to write this song. I was lucky. The first name that came to mind was Moacyr Luz. When he heard the story, he understood everything very quickly. In fact, he delivered the song 24 hours later, sounding like a classic”. Castello Branco pointed out that Moacyr Luz is a native of Rio de Janeiro and has daily interaction with Christ the Redeemer. “He already knew what he wanted to say.”

From that point on, the production began. “We organized a cast and the artists generously got together to lend their voices in the studio. We followed all protocols. But it was a reunion celebration of music colleagues who hadn’t met for some time, because of the pandemic,” said UBC’s executive director. Castello Branco also said that the song in honor of Christ the Redeemer is the first initiative to celebrate UBC’s 80th anniversary in 2022.

Moacyr Luz confessed that it took him even less time to compose the song. “I did it in about 3 hours. I always do this. As I am a composer, I like to have a motive to compose. When he (Castello Branco) told me about Christ the Redeemer, I thought it was fabulous, because it is an image that is with us all day long. It is one of the most important places in Rio de Janeiro. It was easy to do.”

Luz pointed out that his concern was “not to intellectualize history, but for people to feel happy to sing, to feel relieved from everything we are going through. The goal is to bring hope to Rio de Janeiro, because Christ the Redeemer looks out over the entire city. It is the postcard of the song’s lyrics.” He said that all artists who participated in the tribute are “heartily approved.”

AFFECTION AND HAPPINESS

According to Sony Music Brasil’s CEO Paulo Junqueiro, “Rio de Janeiro’s most iconic monument and one of the great postcards of Brazil, known all over the world, merits a song that celebrates its 90th anniversary with affection and joy. May this song convey the Rio de Janeiro soul and the significance of Christ the Redeemer for everyone,” he said.

The rector of the Christ the Redeemer Sanctuary, Father Omar Raposo, emphasized that, as a national symbol, Christ the Redeemer “is capable of integrating all artistic perspectives, so that, in fact, the experience of our Brazilianness can be evidenced from these open arms.”

“The Christ the Redeemer Shrine is a site of deep spirituality and a meeting place for tourism, culture, and the environment, a perfect integration that makes us, the Brazilian people, this beautiful nation, this great altar for the Redeemer to extend its solidarity, its love. That is why this song conveys all the values present in our city and, at the same time, this monument, which is more than ever a symbol of Brazil, conveys so much faith and hope to the Brazilian people and the whole world.”

In addition to the song, the musical celebration of the Redeemer gained a music video, directed by Adriano de Martini. The song was recorded by Julio Teixeira, responsible for the arrangement, piano, and keyboards; Marco Vasconcellos on the guitar and acoustic guitar; André Vasconcellos on bass; Milton Guedes on flutes and harmonica solo; Cezinha on drums and percussion; Waltis Zacarias and Jaguara on percussion; a choir comprised of Jussara Lourenço, Jurema de Candia, Marcio Lott, and Marcello Furtado; and musical arrangements by Genilson Barbosa. The production and musical direction are by Max Pierre.