Villa-Lobos: Bachiana Brasileiras Nos. 2, 4 & 8

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Villa-Lobos's Bachiana Brasileira No. 2 remains his most popular orchestral composition, despite an oeuvre that numbers more than 1,000 pieces! It's a charming work, no doubt about it, particularly the little choo-choo train finale. The others in the set, however, are equally worth hearing; there is, in fact, some very substantial and sophisticated music in this series of nine compositions, three of which are included on this disc. If you like No. 2, you'll have no problem at all with the rest. They are, one and all, full of exotic textures, gorgeous Brazilian melodies, and the rhythms of folk dances. Both performance and sound meet the highest standards. --David Hurwitz

Tracks:

Preludio (O Canto Do Capadocio)
Aria (O Canto Da Nosso Terra)
Dansa (Lembranca Do Sertao)
Toccata (O Tremzinho Do Calpira)
Preludio (Introducao)
Coral (Canto Do Sertao)
Aria (Cantiga)
Danso (Miudinho)
Preludio
Aira (Modinha)
Tocata (Catira Batida)
Fuga

Amazon.com

Villa-Lobos's Bachiana Brasileira No. 2 remains his most popular orchestral composition, despite an oeuvre that numbers more than 1,000 pieces! It's a charming work, no doubt about it, particularly the little choo-choo train finale. The others in the set, however, are equally worth hearing; there is, in fact, some very substantial and sophisticated music in this series of nine compositions, three of which are included on this disc. If you like No. 2, you'll have no problem at all with the rest. They are, one and all, full of exotic textures, gorgeous Brazilian melodies, and the rhythms of folk dances. Both performance and sound meet the highest standards. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Uncorrected mistakes.......2004-03-03

The music of Villa Lobos is plagued with mistakes in the printed scores and orchestral parts, perhaps one of the reasons it is not programmed more often. Great care has to be taken, when performing (and certainly when recording) this music to make sure to correct these for the best result.

Unfortunately, this was not done in the case of this recording. Mistakes abound, not the fault of the performers, including wrong notes, and even a wrong instrument playing in one instance. (Horn players playing what is supposed to be a trumpet line.) Certainly someone should have caught these (especially Lopez-Cobos, who should be the last line of defensive against this).

Having said that however, the pieces themselves are wonderfully evocative, and full of terrific Brazilian rhythms. The orchestra is playing terrific, but the Telarc sound robs some of the excitement out of the music.

Lest the unwary..........2004-02-08

...music-seeker be dissuaded by the "reviews" below, I would like to contribute my experience of this album, which I've had and heard for a number of years. Apart from the fine performance, which all concede, I have found this to be enchanting music, music of great imaginativeness. The glib dismissal for lack of substance or depth is yet another instance of those myriad "reviews" by people who love to see their names and ill-considered opinions in print - an opportunity so amply provided by Amazon.com. There is no accounting for taste, and we are each entitled to our own; but to inflate that taste into a pontification masked as sound musical judgment makes only mischief. Personally, I find much of this music indispensable to my music-appreciative life. Do hear it for yourself [sample the first movement of Bachianas Brasileiras 4] before turning away.

Romance Lite or Music for an Afternoon Nap.......2002-02-06

I would have to agree with the reviewer below that this disc suffers from a lack of compositional ingenuity rather than sound quality or orchestral integrity. Lopez-Cobos and his Cincinnati Symphony squeeze blood from a turnip as they attempt to re-animate these 12 pieces. This is a great recording to put on when you are in the mood for background music. There are no surprises and few temperature raisers. There are many nice melodies that are explored but at a pace reminiscent of a romantic movie soundtrack. Unfortunately, the soundtrack Villa-Lobos chose to score is more aptly title "Afternoon Siesta" than "Brazilian Holiday". However, fans of sumptuously lush and beautifully orchestrated mood music should not shy away from this disc.

BACH VIA VILLA-LOBOS.......2000-11-10

You will find plenty of rhythmic sweep in these colorful orchestral syntheses of Villa-Lobos, occasionally a pleasing melodic line (as in the "Preludios" of the Bachianas Brasileiras No.'s 2 and 4) or a spikey phrase, but more often than not these works seem rather redundant, uninspired and bombastic, as much of this composer's music is. Some, frankly, may find little depth amongst these grandiose symphonic outpourings of supposed Brazilian "heart." Perhaps this is the earmark of Villa-Lobos' style, and what is innately tiresome. Too much "matter" with inconsequential substance; in other words, simple Brazilian musical dance idioms enlarged to complex orchestral forms--- for the sake of show. For those of you who warm to him, however, this CD offers fine sound and a generous length.

[Running time: 70:04]

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

Heads Up: The Best of the Lively Ones, Vol. 2

Lieder In Our Language

Momma Said (There'd Be Dayz Like This) [Explicit Lyrics]

Digga Digga Do

By the Roads and the Fields

My Love My Life

Mel Torme At The Movies

Meditation: Classical Relaxation, Vol. 3

Lest We Forget: the Best of [Import]

Juana Zayas in recital

Passport to the Heart