I even like how the box set reorders the volumes so you can start with the first of each Chôros and Bachianas Brasileiras, although perhaps it would be most interesting to listen chronologically as well.
Regardless, most seem to think these are the easiest entry into compositions from Villa-Lobos. Folk tunes, catchy syncopated rhythms, colorful orchestrations, all written in smaller-sized chunks. Plus the composer writes these in so many genres - orchestral, choral, chamber, and solo music, with only one or two in a modern, clashing style. You'll never be bored!
As to the performances, they are excellent, and collating all of these pieces together onto one set is wonderful. You could hardly exceed these recordings, however, the most familiar Bachianas Brasileiras might have better elsewhere. Of course, including a full album of solo guitar music and a chamber work, which wasn't on any of the previously released volumes, makes this all taste that much sweeter.
If you read my reaction to the Naxos Complete Overtures of Rossini set, I feel like BIS included as much music as they possibly could. One of the volumes is just under 60 minutes, but the others are all in the 70-80 minute range, with one over 81 minutes. No fleecing here, although I notice the last track of each volume concludes with 30-45 seconds of silence.
I really enjoyed my time with these, and soon I will move on to other Heitor Villa-Lobos works.
A review from 2024
This is really a fabulous set all around, as well as an excellent introduction to the Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos. The São Paulo ensembles and instrumentalists perform with life and vitality, the many soloists who come and go are excellent, and sheer riot of exotic percussion is extremely colorful.
For me, the big news is the complete set of 12 Chôros. These are a mix of orchestral, choral/vocal, and chamber works celebrating the musical influences of Brazil. There are a few ear-twisting modern settings from Villa Lobos, I am thinking of Chôros 2 & 4 (and bis) who hint at Bartok and Stravinsky, but generally these are all quite pleasing works, where even the toughest of sounds are underlined with strong syncopated rhythms amongst the humid feel of Brazil.
There have been other sets of Villa-Lobos’ Bachianas Brasileiras, ones from Adrian Leaper on ASV, and better yet, Enrique Batiz on EMI, but I still think this BIS set improves on those. These nine pieces are generally more populous pleasing too, with an always interesting mix of JS Bach and Brazil.
From the original six CDs, BIS adds the Chôros Quintet from the Berlin Philharmonic Winds, as well as Anders Miolin’s album of Villa-Lobos solo guitar music from 1995. The former work is another modern, crunchy piece, not to my particular tastes, but the solo guitar music is dreamy and poetic; impressive additions.
Really I have no qualms recommending any part of this set, with both Chôros and Bachianas Brasileiras on hand. Some might prefer Batiz’s energy or a flashier solo guitarist, but both John Neschling and Robert Minczuk leading these São Paulo forces are a must-hear.
Listen on YouTube
Works
Volume 1 (79.58)
Volume 2 (81.18)
Volume 3 (78.06)
Volume 4 (59.23)
Volume 5 (69.52)
Volume 6 (77.48)
Volume 7 (78.28)
Soloists
Donna Brown, soprano
Cristina Ortiz, piano
Jean Louis Steuerman, piano
Fabio Zanon, guitar
Anders Miolin, guitar
Performers
São Paulo Symphony Choir
São Paulo Symphony Orchestra
John Neschling, conductor (Chôros)
Roberto Minczuk, conductor (Bachianas)
Label: BIS
Year: 1995-2008 / 2009
Total Timing: 8.44.53
Introduce yourself to Brazilian composer Villa-Lobos with this set.
Maybe you will find hidden treasure. Enter The Keep... and find out.
Find more Villa-Lobos recordings HERE!
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