This News Release from Brana Records should excite Villa-Lobos lovers around the world:
NEWS RELEASE - For immediate use - Tuesday 22nd April 2002
LIVE VILLA-LOBOS RECORDING RESTORED
On 25th May 1955, Heitor Villa-Lobos conducted the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and soloist Felicja Blumental in a performance of his 5th Piano Concerto at the Musikverein in Vienna.
A recording of this performance has been restored by Brana Records and is to be released as a limited edition CD on Tuesday 2nd July, together with the composer’s Bachianas Brasileiras No. 3 for piano and orchestra and 4 further unaccompanied pieces for piano.
The edition will be limited to 500 and may be pre-ordered at http://www.branarecords.com/ or via sales@branarecords.com at $19.99 or £13.99 plus postage.
It was as a result of hearing an earlier performance of his Bachianas Brasileras No 3 that Villa-Lobos promised to write a piano concerto for Felicja Blumental. She performed the World Premier at the Royal Festival Hall in London with the London Symphony Orchestra under Anatole Fistoulari.
Brana Records will be releasing a series of restored Felicja Blumental recordings including the Albeniz Piano Concerto and Hekel Tavares’ Concerto in Brazilian Forms for Piano and Orchestra.
For Further Information contact:
Mark Walmsley, Executive Producer, Brana Records. 01737 768 127
mark@branarecords.com
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Thanks, Mark, for that information. I'm looking forward to hearing this music. The piano concertos (and BB #3) aren't as well known as they should be, and the artistry of Felicja Blumental is legendary. The abilities of Villa-Lobos as a conductor have been questioned by some, and admired by others. This recording, with a great orchestra, should help us decide.
Fans of Felicja Blumental should definitely check out Classical Discoveries - an interesting new website with lots of streaming audio.
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