When classical music took a detour to Rio …

March 5, 2020

What Gershwin did for jazz/classical fusion music, Heitor Villa-Lobos did for Brazilian/classical.

Apparently, Villa-Lobos had an identity crisis, composing-wise; he just didn’t know whether he would focus on the European or Brazilian tradition. While his music has a definitive Brazilian sound, the structure of his works is quite European as he was inspired by Sergei Diaghilev’s Ballet Russes, and composer Darius Milhaud, who was visting Rio. Milhaud introduced Villa-Lobos to the music of Debussy, Satie, and Stravinksy; Villa-Lobos returned the favour by showing off Brazilian street music to Milhaud. One amazing moment for Villa-Lobos was meeting legendary pianist Arthur Rubenstein, who became a lifelong friend and an advocate of Villa-Lobos’ music. Villa-Lobos was inspired to compose more piano music as a result.

The Bachianas Brasileriras is a Villa-Lobos classic, both in terms of the work itself, and the composer’s blend of Brazilian and classical influences. Villa-Lobos adapted a number of Baroque characteristics to Brazilian music.  No. 5 of the Bachianas Brasileriras is one of Villa-Lobos’ best-known works. Scored for soprano and orchestra of cellos, it depicts clouds, the moonrise, lamenting, and birds.

This concert features the Berlin Philharmonic, directed by Gustavo Dudamel in 2008 for an audience of twenty thousand. The soprano is Ana Maria Martinez.

Heitor Villa-Lobos was born March 5, 1887 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and died there November 17, 1959.

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