Villa-Lobos and the Cello

 

It was his instrument after all.

After traversing Villa-Lobos' five Piano Concertos, I was initially reticent of these two Cello Concertos.

Not that I didn't like the piano concertos, but I felt the composer wrote the same work, five times over. They wander and tarry a fair bit more than I would like, which is why I preferred Nos. 4 & 5 of that set.

I do not feel the same sense here, however. Starting with the Cello Fantasia, the concertante work sounds the most modern of the three pieces. Although not particularly knotty, it does bear dissonance and angularity, as well as a certain seriousness, more readily, even if Villa-Lobos' open-harmonied, colorful Brazilian musical (and rhythmical) style is still eminently enjoyable.

While the early Cello Concerto no. 1 may be in three movements, it is played without pauses, so there is a strong, overarching cohesiveness across the work. I hear grand, lush, High-Romantic musical gestures here, similar to those piano concertos I mentioned. With the presence of a solo cello, however, there is a more readily intimate scope in use. I think the orchestra is balanced with the solo string instrument better too.

Truly, both concertos are, generally speaking, positively upbeat works, and I like that flavor from Villa-Lobos quite a bit. In comparison to the first, Cello Concerto no. 2 allows the cello a solo cadenza at the end of the third movement (of four), and the length of the movements shrink as the concerto goes on, not overburdening the listener with too much music or ideas.

Quite frankly, I was delighted with this music. Brazilian cellist Antonio Meneses comes back to record these concertos again on Naxos, his first set appearing on the Auvidis Valois label. Comparatively, he is slightly slower in timings here, but certainly not less involved, and I feel the São Paulo players are a more deft ensemble.

Certainly Brazilian conductor Isaac Karabtchevsky has made his mark on Naxos with the music of Villa-Lobos in their Music of Brazil series, and this recording continues his fine work with São Paulo. This music certainly isn't often recorded or performed, so this set will be an easy choice for collectors.

Listen on YouTube

Works
Cello Concerto 1 (21.38)
Cello Fantasia (20.49)
Cello Concerto 2 (25.45)

Performers
Antonio Meneses, cello
São Paulo Symphony Orchestra
Isaac Karabtchevsky, conductor

Label: Naxos
Year: 2023
Total Timing: 68.19

I like these much better than Villa-Lobos' piano concertos. Perhaps it is because cello was the composer's instrument.

Regardless, these are fine performances, nicely gathered together by Naxos in their Music of Brazil series.

Still, I am unsure if I am smitten with them, so I will hold back my enthusiasm until I have lived with this recordings a little longer.

Find more Villa-Lobos recordings HERE!