The Villa-Lobos Sound World

 

Villa-Lobos shows a mastery of such a wide variety of musical styles, and yet his Chôros sound spontaneous and experimental too.

I hear mixes of Brazilian primitivism and tribalism, influences of Béla Bartók, Igor Stravinsky, not to mention atmospheric Impressionism. Somehow, they all come together to make the Heitor Villa-Lobos sound world.

Not only does this recording provide Chôros, 2, 3, 10, & 12 proper, there is also the Introduction to the Chôros and Deux Chôros. The Introduction is a Golden Era, cinematically Romantic overture of sorts. The addition of solo guitar really makes the work stand out.

The two chamber duets, Deux Chôros and Chôros 2, are the knottiest works here, yet Villa-Lobos sets a repeating syncopated rhythm underlining the music, an aspect which grounds the listener against any modernistic effects.

Chôros 3 & 10 include chorus, and this is where I hear the primitivistic elements. Villa-Lobos uses atmospheric textures in the orchestra in No. 10, but anytime the chorus enters, percussive vocal effects in tricky repetitive rhythms pervade the voice writing.

The mammoth Chôros 12 for orchestra inhabits many of these styles, but it is the lighthearted tunefulness which captures my imagination, coupled with the composer's jaunts into airy orchestral atmospheres. The many orchestral solos which come and go are well played by the São Paulo players.

As far as sheer amounts of music, each volume (I am beginning with the 3rd) is stuffed to the gills. Musically, this is a really neat recording, and I will happily continue to go through the BIS cycle.

Listen on YouTube

Works
Introduction to the Chôros (13.32)
Deux Chôros (8.47)
Chôros 2 (2.42)
Chôros 3 'Pica-Pau' (3.32)
Chôros 10 'Rasga o Coração' (13.01)
Chôros 12 (37.01)

Soloists
Fabio Zanon, guitar
Claudio Cruz, violin
Johannes Gramsch, cello
Elizabeth Plunk, flute
Ovanir Buosi, clarinet

Performers
São Paulo Symphony Chorus
São Paulo Symphony Orchestra
John Neschling, conductor

Label: BIS
Year: 2008
Total Timing: 79.58

I am not sure I would want to revisit each of these Chôros, but Villa-Lobos makes a strong case for even the toughest of them.

Can't complain about the sound or performances either.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Find more Villa-Lobos recordings HERE!