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Heitor Villa-Lobos, perhaps the most brilliant of all South American composers, came to occupy a leading position in the musical life of his native Brazil. His varied output includes stage-works, choral and instrumental compositions, chamber music, songs and piano music. Well-known works include Bachianas Brasileiras and Chôros, the latter called after the traditional street-music of Rio de Janeiro. The Etudes and Preludes written by Villa-Lobos for solo guitar are a familiar part of the repertoire for that instrument.
Featured below are the composer’s most representative works, performed by such celebrated artists as guitarist Norbert Kraft, pianist Sonia Rubinsky, among others. The selection includes our new release VILLA-LOBOS: Piano Music Vol. 6 (8.557735).
"Norbert Kraft is a magnificent musician. He is as comfortable with the delicacies of Villa-Lobos's Choros as when negotiating his way with skill and grace through the technical minefield of the Preludes and Etudes. Even guitar haters should hear this." BBC Music Magazine (Christopher Wood) on 8.553987 - VILLA-LOBOS: Music for Solo Guitar (Complete)
“The strengths of Villa-Lobos lie in his simplicity and childlike music. No matter how complex and noisy the music or orchestration gets, the melodies within him never cease to flow… Rubinsky is able to readily switch modes – from virtuoso, to minstrel, to child charmer. It is this versatility of composer (and pianist) that makes such complete volumes of music – however uneven or variable – such a joy to discover and behold.” Chang Tou Liang, www.inkpot.com on 8.555717 - VILLA-LOBOS: Piano Music, Vol. 4 (Bachianas Brasileiras No. 4 / Children's Carnival)
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