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This is a three-CD set that includes all of Villa-Lobos' moody Bachianas Brasileiras. The best known is the fifth, for soprano and eight cellos (well performed here), but there is a wealth hidden among the others. There are dance movements galore; the second builds to a wonderfully percussive and powerful final movement; the eighth, despite an upbeat old folk dance as its centerpiece, has a melancholic warmth that is irresistible. The flute and bassoon duet that makes up No. 6 is rich and expressive, and the solo pianist has his work cut out for him in No. 3. All of them show a use of counterpoint that is truly skillful, and these performances--the only complete, modern set, not to mention at a bargain price--bring out all of the delicacies in the music. A real find. --Robert Levine
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Reviews:
Music to Your Ears
I'm not sure why but Villa-Lobos is practically never played on classical stations here. He wrote over 1,500 songs but his homage to J.S. Bach, Bachianas Brasileiras, by any standards is a masterpiece, alternating back and forth in a dance of depressing doom and uplifting peace.
An excellent recording at a very decent price
An excellent recording!
First of all, for those of you who do not know Villa Lobos, the Bachianas Brasieleiras are a must. Fascinating pieces of music. as their titles implies, music works inspired by Bach... incorporating the input and influence of the brazilian culture. In addition to the cultural aspect, some pieces just sound incredible and belong to the most beautiful pieces of 20th century classical music.
As for why this version? Some of you may be tempted to purchase the composer's own recording (EMI part of the Great Recordings of the Century Series). More qualified, professional reviewers have been dismissing it for a long time, not least because of the orchestra's balance. For me, the mono recording also sounds very dated.
For those of you who are looking for a modern version, this is a great choice. First, it includes all of the Bachianas, which have far more to offer to the listener than just the famous n.5. Besides n.5 I was not familiar with many of these pieces, and they have grown on me immensely. Second, I believe this recording to be very well balanced, both in terms of sound and interpretation. In particular, Cynthia Estill at bassoon is wonderful.
Last, the line notes provide wonderful hindsight into the genesis of these works.
In short, I recommend this double disc wholeheartedly.
Finally one good recording of the complete cycle of the Bachianas Brasileiras
Finally one good recording of the complete cycle of the Bachianas Brasileiras . The recording conducted by the author was the best recording available , but Villa - Lobos wasn't a good conductor .The musicality is really good, but the orchestra sounds bad in some moments and the sound is very old.After the recordings of several conductors sometimes good sometimes bad, we have here the entire cycle very well played
Bachianas Nº 1 , for cellos , was at the beginning one homage to the Preludes And Fugues by Bach, but the author wrote after the first movement.From the Preludes and Fugue now we have the structure of a Concerto. The first Bachianas is the only one condcted by Andrew Mogrelia, since Kenneth Schermerhorn died before the recording finished.Andrew Mogrelia makes a very good Bachianas , by far more musical even comparing with the one of the Cellos of the Berlin Philharmonic.
The Second Bachianas is in my opinion the best of the cycle. Villa Lobos puts the voice of the man of the "sertão" in instruments like the sax, the cello and the trombone . Is a music full of sadness, and to understand this music you must read Guimarães Rosa . The recording is amazing.
The Third Bachianas is for píano and Orchestra. Naxos had the brilliant idea to invite the excellent Brazilian pianist Feghali , to play this wonderful Music.The result is fantastic . Very slow and very clear.
The Fourth Bachianas has two version : for piano ( very well played in another Naxos CD by Sonia Rubinsky)and for Orchestra. Schermerhorn folows the modifications in the violin solo at the Prelude tha Villa Lobos did in his recording. Other fantastic version
Naxos had other fantastic idea.For the Fifth Bachianas they invited Rosana Lamosa , one of the leading Brazilian sopranos . Finally we can understand the text (the only one with a perfect Portuguese was Anna Mofo), and we have here one example of the art of one of the leading Brazilian poets : M. Bandeira .
The Sixth Bachianas is one return to the Choros. It was Written for two instruments. The soloists of the Nashville Orchestra are excellent musicians.
Bachianas 7 and 8 are by far more conservative in structure.Reflex of the involvement of Villa Lobos with the " Estado Novo" by Getulio Vargas. But the fugue of the Bachianas 7 is a good example of the inspiration of the author.
The last Bachianas was writtnen for chorus . The difficulty of this version forced the author to transcript it to Strings, and was premiered by my teacher, Eleazar de Carvalho in 1945 .
Maybe the Cycle of the Bachianas is Less important than the Cycle of the Choros , but is a very important part of the production of our most important composer.Kenneth Schermerhorn was always one admirer of Villa Lobos. His last recording is one service very useful . Now we can hear this important music well played and well recorded.
American beautiful performance of Brazilian Villa-Lobos
Kenneth Schermerhorn and his Nashville Simphony Orchestra have reached a very good performance of my fellow-countryman and extraordinary composer Heitor Villa-Lobos. Their Nine Bachianas Brasileiras sound surprisingly vivid and... Brazilian. Applauses, also, for Brazilian soprano Rosana Lamosa in no.5. Four stars.
Beautiful Bargain
These discs are well recorded. And the music, itself, is stunning in its variety and complexity, all the while retaining a poetic wonderfulness. It engages the listener, but isn't so overpowering that it can't serve as good background music for dinner or studying.
