Heitor Villa-Lobos has been described as 'the single most significant creative figure in 20th-century Brazilian art music.' The eleven symphonies- the enigmatic Symphony No. 5 has never been found and may not ever have been written- range from the two earliest, conceived in a broadly central Central European tradition, to the final symphony No. 12 which is notable for it's explosive energy, harmonic richness and rhythmic vitality. Every aspect of Villa-Lobos's remarkable inspiration is represented in these works, with Brazilian national rhythms and extremes of ambition in terms of scale and dramatic content, alongside neo-Classical transparency and lyrical charm. These critically acclaimed performances from Sao Paulo are both idiomatic and expertly played.
1 Symphony No. 6, "On the Outline of the Mountains of Brazil"
2 I. Allegro Non Troppo
3 II. Lento
4 III. Allegretto Quasi Animato
5 IV. Allegro
6 Symphony No. 7
7 I. Allegro Vivace
8 II. Lento
9 III. Scherzo: Allegro Non Troppo
10 IV. Allegro Preciso
- Disc 4 -
1 Symphony No. 8
2 I. Andante
3 II. Lento Assai
4 III. Allegretto Scherzando
5 IV. Allegro Giusto
6 Symphony No. 9
7 I. Allegro
8 II. Adagio
9 III. Scherzo: Vivace
10 IV. Allegro Giusto
11 Symphony No. 11
12 I. Allegro Moderato
13 II. Largo
14 III. Scherzo: Molto Vivace
15 IV. Molto Allegro
- Disc 5 -
1 Symphony No. 10, "Amerindia", "Sumé Pater Patrium"
2 Part I: The Earth and It's Creatures
3 Part II: War Cry (Bass, the Voice of the Earth)
4 Part III: Iurupichuna (Indian Natives, the Voice of the Earth)
5 Part IV: The Voice of the Earth and the Appearance of Father Anchieta (The Amerindio, the Voice of the Earth, Indian Natives, Anchieta)
6 Part V: Glory in Heavens, and Peace on Earth! - Finale (Chorus)
7 Uirapuru
8 Symphony No. 12
9 I. Allegro Non Troppo
10 II. Adagio
11 III. Scherzo
12 IV. Molto Allegro
13 Mandu-Carara
Heitor Villa-Lobos has been described as 'the single most significant creative figure in 20th-century Brazilian art music.' The eleven symphonies- the enigmatic Symphony No. 5 has never been found and may not ever have been written- range from the two earliest, conceived in a broadly central Central European tradition, to the final symphony No. 12 which is notable for it's explosive energy, harmonic richness and rhythmic vitality. Every aspect of Villa-Lobos's remarkable inspiration is represented in these works, with Brazilian national rhythms and extremes of ambition in terms of scale and dramatic content, alongside neo-Classical transparency and lyrical charm. These critically acclaimed performances from Sao Paulo are both idiomatic and expertly played.
