Audio CD review:
Heitor Villa-Lobos - Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras Nos. 1, 2, 5 & 9 / ORTF National Orchestra, De Los Angeles

Heitor Villa-Lobos - Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras Nos. 1, 2, 5 & 9 / ORTF National Orchestra, De Los Angeles

Band: Heitor Villa-Lobos Title: Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras Nos. 1, 2, 5 & 9 / ORTF National Orchestra, De Los Angeles Rating: Release Date: 1999-01-12 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Aria 2: Danza 3: No. 1, "Preludio" (O canto do capadocio) 4: No. 2, "Aria" (O canto da nossa terra) 5: No. 3, "Dansa" (Lembranca do sertao) 6: No. 4, "Toccata" (O trenzinho do caipira) 7: No. 1, "Introducao" (Embolada) 8: No. 2, "Preludio" (Modinha) 9: No. 3, "Fuga" (Conversa) 10: No. 1, "Preludio" (Vagoroso e mistico) 11: No. 2, "Fuga" (Poco apressado)

Bachianas Brasileiros, selections Sound balance not always excellent, but fine overall. Fine performances of selections not always heard. The composer is different! And with a top-notch soloist too, albeit a second-rate orchestra. This is of course an unusual relic of a dead conmposer conducting his own signature works. As such it has great value per se. First, be warned (again) that this is mono. It's well miked mono, but unfortunately not well balanced, as if the orchestra was not properly placed for recording with a single mike, and sounds like a hack at the editing console has had a go at it to try and fix some of this. The results is, among other things, screeching violins. But what an ususual mix of sound comes through all this! This is not the usual recording of any of the very familiar B. B. 's! Orchestral balances (as opposed to recorded balances . . . you can tell the difference if you listen for the difference between overall sound and that of single instruments) are unusual and so is phrasing and articulation. Highly recommended to the specialist, not so otherwise. These are fine, if idiosyncratic, performances and if some newbee were to "imprint" on this recording, they might never enjoy a live modern performance or recording. Doug McDonald. Fond memories De Los Angeles has a wonderful soprano and the Bachianas Brasilleiras need a great voice. I was thrilled to find a CD copy of the vinyl album I bought in about 1964! I had bought another rendition of these Villa-Lobos pieces but it just didn't do it for me. Interesting fusin I enjoyed the fusion of Brazilian with classic. This was new music to me so I listened with an open mind. Excellent Honestly, I was not familiar with the music on this disc at all. I spotted this in a music store and bought it because I'm a fan of Villa-Lobos' compositions for guitar. But wow, what a pleasant surprise. I downloaded it to my mp3 player last night so now I can listen to it anywhere. You can see a complete list of all Heitor Villa-Lobos discography, or go back to the Heitor Villa-Lobos tabs