Thursday, December 1, 2011

Villa-Lobos Top 10

In commemoration of the 52nd anniversary of Villa-Lobos's death, journalist Rui Agapito wrote this excellent article at ovale.com.br [English translation by Google]. I was really pleased that Rui asked me to come up with my favourite 10 pieces by Villa-Lobos. My choice:
  1. Preludes for guitar
  2. Choros #10
  3. Nonetto
  4. Quarteto simbolico
  5. Bachianas Brasileiras #5
  6. String Quartet #07
  7. Prole do Bebê, book 1
  8. Uirapuru
  9. Floresta do Amazonas
  10. Missa São Sebastião
What are your favourite 10 works by Villa?
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6 comments:

  1. Here is my list (not necessarily in order of preference, despite "Choros Nº 10" is the top form me):

    1. Choros Nº 10
    2. Trio (for woodwind)
    3. Ciclo Brasileiro
    4. Bachianas Brasileiras Nº 7
    5. Prole do Bebê Nº 2
    6. 12 Etudes
    7. Amazonas
    8. Serestas
    7. Momoprecoce
    8. Capriccio
    9. Noneto
    10. Bendita Sabedoria

    ReplyDelete

  2. 1. Choros no. 10
    2. Rudepoema
    3. Momoprecoce
    4. Choros no. 6
    5. Bachianas brasileiras no. 7
    6. Choros no. 7, "Settimino"
    7. Guitar Concerto
    8. Preludes for guitar
    9. Suites from "O descobrimento do Brasil"
    10. Bachianas brasileiras no. 4

    ReplyDelete

  3. 1. Choros 11
    2. Choros 8
    3. Mandú-Çarará
    4. Choros 9
    5. Coros 10
    6. String Quartet nº9
    7. Rudepoema
    8. String Quartet nº8
    9. Amazonas
    10. Suite IV from "O Descobrimento do Brasil"

    I'm so depressed that I couldn't include pieces such as the 3rd violin sonata, the trio for windwood, the 4th symphony, Choros 12, Nonetto, Quarteto Simbólico, Suite for voice and violin, Fantasia Concertante, Erosão, Prole do Bebê nº2 and some others. Even if these ten pieces I selected had disappeared (thank God they haven't), I would be able to make other two list with works that I consider absurdly impressive.

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  4. In fact is absolutely impossible to list just 10, noka. As Adriano, I'd like to include "Choros Nº 7", "Rudepoema", "Choros Nº 6", and as you did "Choros Nº 8", too, as well several others. But we have to face it as a fortune. How lucky the Human Kind is to have so several masterpieces to enjoy!!!

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  5. Yes, indeed when I said I was depressed, it was a way to emphasize how impressive Villa-Lobos's output is. People usually talk about how irregular Villa-Lobos's production is, as if he hardly achieved the right result. I think it shows more ignorance about Villa than accurate judgement (and frequently the consequence is a lack of care in interpretations, even more because this music demands too much).

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