Latin American Composers

[Roasted Swan]

What an enjoyable fresh release. A great synthesis between Brazilian folk elements and late-Romantic European aesthetics for the most part. All of these five works for piano and orchestra (including Burlesca e Toccata) display a wide range of captivating melodies, rhythms and sonorities that fetch the ear with ease. Honestly, I can't get enough of those features. It's music that lifts the spirits. For instance, the unabashedly lovely main tune from the Fantasia Brasileira No. 4 (my favorite of the Fantasias) (it appears played by the woodwinds at 1:45 mark and then it's taken by the strings at 2:12 mark) is to die for, that is a really memorable melody, one that conveys a sense of warmth and nostalgic. The Burlesca e Toccata is the most piquant, unpredictable, modern-sounding work of the disc. The Burlesca part is rather somber and mysterious, whereas the Toccata one feels more animated, quirky and folksy (another memorable folk tune appears at 10:20 mark). A very cool work that exudes personality, probably the best piece of the disc, but the whole content of this magnificent brand new recording has no waste whatsoever. One of my favorite releases of this year.

I listened to the 1st Fantasia today - very positive impressions.....

Here are videos of the same artists on the CD playing Nos. 1,3&4

[Symphonic Addict]

I listened to the 1st Fantasia today - very positive impressions.....

Here are videos of the same artists on the CD playing Nos. 1,3&4

If you liked the first Fantasia, you'll dig the next three too + the Burlesca e Toccata. Such colourful, dynamic music.

It's really great to see the performers having fun with these works. Thanks for sharing!

[Symphonic Addict]

I've said this before and I repeat it now: these recordings devoted to Brazilian composers are the most interesting things Naxos have done lately. Kudos to them for that. But OTOH, I've seen other releases of theirs that, frankly, don't float my boat in the slightest.

[JBS]

I happen to be listening to this for the first time. The two longer works evoke episodes in Brazilian history (the Paraguayan War and an 18th century separatist revolt in Minas Gerais) and sound like film scores with folk music elements. The Concertino also tries to fuse symphonic and folk music.

[Symphonic Addict]

I happen to be listening to this for the first time. The two longer works evoke episodes in Brazilian history (the Paraguayan War and an 18th century separatist revolt in Minas Gerais) and sound like film scores with folk music elements. The Concertino also tries to fuse symphonic and folk music.

I have yet to give that recording a listen.

[Roasted Swan]

I've said this before and I repeat it now: these recordings devoted to Brazilian composers are the most interesting things Naxos have done lately. Kudos to them for that. But OTOH, I've seen other releases of theirs that, frankly, don't float my boat in the slightest.

Simply put these releases force a wholesale reassessment of the quslity and diversity of Brazilian music.  Although to be fair - I think if they were to repeat the process for pretty much any country in Latin America the same would be true.  So much top quality music to hear!!!

[Brian]

Simply put these releases force a wholesale reassessment of the quslity and diversity of Brazilian music.  Although to be fair - I think if they were to repeat the process for pretty much any country in Latin America the same would be true.  So much top quality music to hear!!!

Indeed - do we know anyone in the Argentine government??

[ritter]

Indeed - do we know anyone in the Argentine government??

IIRC, you do, Brian! 

[kyjo]

I've said this before and I repeat it now: these recordings devoted to Brazilian composers are the most interesting things Naxos have done lately. Kudos to them for that. But OTOH, I've seen other releases of theirs that, frankly, don't float my boat in the slightest.

I largely agree, especially since they seem to have mostly discontinued their previous nationality-based series like American, Japanese, and Spanish Classics, etc.