Villa-Lobos Anyone?

[Mirror Image]

I am pretty sure it was Bachianas brasileiras  No 5 though the Little Train (BB No 2) was on the first Villa-Lobos disc I bought, a compilation on HMV Classics.

As an aside, does anyone have a recommendation for Symphony No 10?. Several versions have been mentioned but not all of them seem to be available.

I really like the performance of the 10th from Karabtchevsky on Naxos. His whole cycle is worth owning, IMHO. I used to favor the more articulate playing of the Stuttgart RSO in the CPO set, but nowadays I prefer the wildness of the Karabtchevsky cycle. Plus, he's got the São Paulo SO at his disposal and they're a phenomenal orchestra of course.

[Mirror Image]

I have to say only a part (20 % or so) of Villa-Lobos does it for me. Not that I don't "like" all of it, but most of it feels a bit bland to me. Especially the symphonies are disappointing. For me Villa-Lobos is a hit and miss composer and it took a long time before I realized it.

I find nothing bland about Villa-Lobos' music. With the right performers, his music jumps off the pages and is exhilarating. I wish I could say the same for your main squeeze Elgar however. To me, you could have the greatest performers in Elgar and I'm still bored.

[Biffo]

I really like the performance of the 10th from Karabtchevsky on Naxos. His whole cycle is worth owning, IMHO. I used to favor the more articulate playing of the Stuttgart RSO in the CPO set, but nowadays I prefer the wildness of the Karabtchevsky cycle. Plus, he's got the São Paulo SO at his disposal and they're a phenomenal orchestra of course.

Thanks, I check out the Naxos disc.

[Mirror Image]

Thanks, I check out the Naxos disc.

I remember this performance being quite good as well:



You might have some difficulty tracking it down, however, as it's OOP I believe.

[ritter]

Does everyone here remember the first Villa-Lobos work you heard? For me, it must have been the Guitar Concerto. I think I remember hearing this work (only an excerpt of it) on our local college radio 11 or 12 years ago and what was great was back during this time the radio station had a classical music program. Anyway, I remember the host saying that was the first movement of Villa-Lobos' Guitar Concerto. And I remember thinking, "Villa-who?" This was the initial seed that was planted and when I got home I bought the Julian Bream recording of the concerto plus some of his solo guitar pieces and my Villa-Lobos journey began.

In my case, similarly to Biffo's, it was either the Bachianas brasleiras No. 5 or O trenzinho do Caipira from the Bachianas brasileiras No. 2 (IIRC, on Venezuelan National Radio back in Caracas). The first LP with music by Villa-Lobos I bought was a recital by Bidú Sayãpo on Columbia's budget subsidiary label Odyssey, that included that wonderful soprano singing the Aria (cantilena) from the Bachianas brasileiras No. 5, under the composer; the other movement, Danza (martelo), hadn't yet been composed when this classic recording was made.

[Mirror Image]

In my case, similarly to Biffo's, it was either the Bachianas brasleiras No. 5 or O trenzinho do Caipira from the Bachianas brasileiras No. 2 (IIRC, on Venezuelan National Radio back in Caracas). The first LP with music by Villa-Lobos I bought was a recital by Bidú Sayãpo on Columbia's budget subsidiary label Odyssey, that included that wonderful soprano singing the Aria (cantilena) from the Bachianas brasileiras No. 5, under the composer; the other movement, Danza (martelo), hadn't yet been composed when this classic recording was made.

Good day to you, Rafael. Very nice. I think I remember you talking about Sayãpo before. I love the Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 with that lovely ensemble of celli. Beautiful sound.

[Symphonic Addict]

Does everyone here remember the first Villa-Lobos work you heard?

Oddly enough, the first work ever I listened from this composer was Bachianas Brasileiras No. 1 for 8 cellos. I was hooked by both the rhythm and the sound density of those instruments. Upon hearing it I did know he was a promising composer for my tastes, and effectively he was and he is currently.

[Mirror Image]

Oddly enough, the first work ever I listened from this composer was Bachianas Brasileiras No. 1 for 8 cellos. I was hooked by both the rhythm and the sound density of those instruments. Upon hearing it I did know he was a promising composer for my tastes, and effectively he was and he is currently.

Very nice, Cesar. Bachianas Brasileiras No. 1 is a gorgeous work. This whole series is fantastic as are the Chôros.

[Mirror Image]

I remember liking the Piano Concertos well enough (the Ortiz recordings).  I also really enjoy some of the symphonies.  I do agree with MI about the tone poems he mentions.  An oddly neglected part of VL's output

[asin] B0000045WS[/asin] [asin] B000024OGD[/asin] [asin] B000024OGE[/asin]

As good as those old Marco Polo discs were, imagine what Chandos could do with that music.

Forget Chandos. Have Neschling come back to São Paulo and record them on BIS.

[Symphonic Addict]

Very nice, Cesar. Bachianas Brasileiras No. 1 is a gorgeous work. This whole series is fantastic as are the Chôros.

+1

[vers la flamme]

If I like the Guitar Concerto, where to from here? The other concerti? I have not heard much from Villa-Lobos. I suppose the Bachianas and the Chôros are essential listening too then...?

[vandermolen]

Coincidentally I enjoyed listening to Symphony No.6 today (Naxos recording).

[San Antone]

If I like the Guitar Concerto, where to from here? The other concerti? I have not heard much from Villa-Lobos. I suppose the Bachianas and the Chôros are essential listening too then...?

Sticking with guitar, I'd suggest his 5 Preludes and 12 Etudes.

[71 dB]

If I like the Guitar Concerto, where to from here? The other concerti? I have not heard much from Villa-Lobos. I suppose the Bachianas and the Chôros are essential listening too then...?

Of all the Villa-Lobos I have heard I enjoy the Bachianas the most. Exploration of his other stuff often just compromised my interest into him. When I years later returned to the Bachianas I re-discoved Villa-Lobos. Not to say there aren't good moments outside Bachianas for me, but it's hit and miss for me.

I don't care much about the Guitar Concerto, so our tastes may differ a lot. Just a warning. Could be you'd find the Piano Concertos for example more interesting I do...

[ritter]

Of all the Villa-Lobos I have heard I enjoy the Bachianas the most. Exploration of his other stuff often just compromised my interest into him. When I years later returned to the Bachianas I re-discoved Villa-Lobos. Not to say there aren't good moments outside Bachianas for me, but it's hit and miss for me.

I don't care much about the Guitar Concerto, so our tastes may differ a lot. Just a warning. Could be you'd find the Piano Concertos for example more interesting I do...

My feelings are similar to yours, 71db, even if I'd include the Chôros along with the Bachianas. Yes, there's some good stuff beyond those two sets, but if feels like diminishing marginal returns...

[71 dB]

My feelings are similar to yours, 71db, even if I'd include the Chôros along with the Bachianas. Yes, there's some good stuff beyond those two sets, but if feels like diminishing marginal returns...

I don't think I have heard every Chôros, but what I know they are ok for sure. 

[Symphonic Addict]

I'm one of those who consider him a great composer, beyond Bachianas and Chôros. There are some outstanding gems in his chamber music, just to mention something different to his orchestral output. I don't know his piano music at all, but I don't hesitate it's consistently good too.

[San Antone]

I'm one of those who consider him a great composer, beyond Bachianas and Chôros. There are some outstanding gems in his chamber music, just to mention something different to his orchestral output. I don't know his piano music at all, but I don't hesitate it's consistently good too.

I agree his chamber music contains some really fine works.

His string quartets are excellent; his Sexteto místico, and Quarteto simbólico, are both very rewarding pieces, and Chôros Nos. 2,3,4,7 and Bachianas Brasileiras Nos. 1 and 6 are chamber works.  I love his solo guitar works, and his solo piano works are well worth investigating. 

The best collection of his string quartets is this one:



This is a nice record of some of his lesser known, but good, chamber works.



Of his orchestral music I prefer his concertos, Bachianas Brasileiras and Chôros to his symphonies.

[Maestro267]

I'm going to put a good word in for the symphonies. They're not particularly groundbreaking, but I thoroughly enjoy them when I listen to them. My favourites are Nos. 2 & 4.

[vandermolen]

I'm going to put a good word in for the symphonies. They're not particularly groundbreaking, but I thoroughly enjoy them when I listen to them. My favourites are Nos. 2 & 4.

3 and 4 are definitely my favourites. I listened to 6 and 7 yesterday. As often with V-L I liked the slow movements best, especially that of No.6. I didn't really take to No.7 which struck me as a very over-blown and unmemorable affair. I don't entirely disagree with the Amazon reviewer who described listening to Villa-Lobos's symphonies as rather like eating an enormous meal - which doesn't taste of anything! Still, that's not my experience of symphonies 3 and 4.