HEITOR VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959)

 

Complete Choros and Bachianas Brasileiras

 

Introduction to the Choros for guitar and orchestra

Choros Nos. 1-12

Two Choros (bis) for violin and cello

Bachianas Brasileiras Nos. 1-9

Quinteto em forma de Choros for flute, oboe, cor anglais, clarinet and bassoon

Five Preludes

Suite populaire bresilienne

Twelve Etudes

 

Choir of the Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra

Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra / John Neschling (Choros) & Robert Minczuk (BB)

 

Soloists including

Fabio Zanon – guitar

Cristina Ortiz – piano

Jean Louis Steuerman – piano

Donna Brown – soprano

Members of the Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet with Nigel Shore, cor anglais, Anders Miolin, guitar

 

The life and music of Villa-Lobos is intimately linked with the emergence of Brazil as a nation and cultural force during the first half of the 20^th Century. This applies especially to the two great cycles that he composed between 1920 and 1945: the 12 Choros and the 9 Bachianas Brasileiras. In the Choros the composer’s stated aim was to achieve a synthesis of the various musical influences of Brazil: the popular urban music (such as the dances of European origin performed by choroes or street musicians), the music brought from Africa by slaves, and the chants and rhythms of the native Indian tribes. The Choros range from solo pieces with durations of a couple of minutes to large-scale scores for expanded symphony orchestra, sometimes comprising choir or solo instruments.

 

This collection also includes a performance by the Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet of Quinteto em forma de Choros (a work often mentioned in connection with the Choros even if it does not form part of the cycle) as well as a separate disc containing Anders Miolin’s recording of the complete music for solo guitar, much of which Villa-Lobos composed for the legendary Andres Segovia.

 

“The Brazilian players sound as if the music is in their blood… and their ensemble is in no way inferior to that of any of their rivals.” Gramophone

 

“..a world-class ensemble providing an assured blend of lush colours, pulsating rhythms and supple phrasing.” International Record Review

 

BIS 7cds BISCD1830-32