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Heitor Villa-Lobos: The Brazilian Bach Part 3
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By Joe Lopes
Here is part 3 of Joe‘s article about the Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos. To read the previous parts click the relevant links at the end of the article.
Entr'acte: Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5
On the occasions when Villa-Lobos deigned to write memorable vocal music - his failure to create a clear-cut national opera notwithstanding - he was plainly unsurpassed in inventiveness, originality and means of expression.
For example, a thorough study of his superb Bachianas Brasileiras (1930-1945) is an absolute requirement for any classically-trained artist to achieve a deeper understanding of the Brazilian composer's methodology and mindset.
The most performed of the Bachianas is No. 5 for soprano soloist and eight cellos, written in two movements, with the first having its world premiere in 1939 in Rio and sung by its lyricist, the singer Ruth Valadares Corrêa; and the second completed around 1945, with words by the poet Bandeira.
The cream of operatic vocal talent, including Arleen Auger, Kathleen Battle, Victoria de Los Angeles, Renée Fleming, Maria Lúcia Godoy, Jill Gomez, Barbara Hendricks, Ana Maria Martínez, Eva Marton, Anna Moffo, Bidu Sayão, Kiri Te Kanawa and Galina Vishnevskaya, has recorded this gorgeous and oft-performed showpiece, focusing primarily on the lyrical Ária (Cantilena) section.
A small portion of the aria has even found its way onto the grooves of the post-pubescent Brazilian singing team of Sandy & Junior, as a brief solo number for Sandy on her live Mercury album Quatro Estações ("Four Seasons," 2000), further attesting to the popularity of the tune with teenagers.
Once heard, this hauntingly beautiful melody is not soon forgotten and has remained one of the composer's most recognizable and universally beloved pieces of music from among his over 1,500 or so compositions.
Inconceivably, the familiar female part was originally intended for the violin. But at the suggestion of soprano Bidu Sayão, the composer was sufficiently convinced to re-score the wordless opening with her voice category in mind, thus equating the popular success of this lovely elegiac ode to the diminutive diva's prescient advice.
Part 4 next week...
Copyright © 2007 by Josmar F. Lopes
A naturalized American citizen born in Brazil, Joe Lopes was raised and educated in New York City, where he worked for many years in the financial sector. In 1996, he moved to Brazil with his wife and daughters. In 2001, he returned to the U.S. and now resides in North Carolina with his family. You can email your comments to JosmarLopes@msn.com.
To read previous articles by Joe Lopes click below:
Heitor Villa-Lobos: The Brazilian Bach Part 2
Heitor Villa-Lobos: The Brazilian Bach Part 1
Two Brazilian Charmers Part 11
Two Brazilian Charmers Part 10
Two Brazilian Charmers Part 9
Two Brazilian Charmers Part 8
Two Brazilian Charmers Part 7
Two Brazilian Charmers Part 6
Two Brazilian Charmers Part 5
Two Brazilian Charmers Part 4
Two Brazilian Charmers Part 3
Two Brazilian Charmers Part 2
Two Brazilian Charmers Part 1
Teaching English In Brazil Part 21
Teaching English In Brazil Part 20
Teaching English In Brazil Part 19
Teaching English In Brazil Part 18
Teaching English In Brazil Part 17
Teaching English In Brazil Part 16
Teaching English In Brazil Part 15
Teaching English In Brazil Part 14
Teaching English In Brazil Part 13
Teaching English In Brazil Part 12
Teaching English In Brazil Part 11
Brazil: Thrills, Spills, and... Oh Yes, No Ifs, Ands or Head-Butts, Please
Teaching English In Brazil Part 10
Teaching English In Brazil Part 9
Brazil: A Fever Called Corinthians Part 4
Brazil: Taking Flight on Florencia's Fragile Wings Part 4
Brazil: A Fever Called Corinthians Part 3
Brazilian World Cup Debacle: Just Wait Till 2010! Part 2
Brazilian World Cup Debacle: Just Wait Till 2010! Part 1
Brazil: Taking Flight on Florencia's Fragile Wings Part 3
Brazil: A Fever Called Corinthians Part 2
Brazil: Taking Flight on Florencia‘s Fragile Wings Part 2
Brazil: A Fever Called Corinthians Part 1
Brazil: Taking Flight on Florencia's Fragile Wings Part 1
Teaching English In Brazil Part 8
Teaching English In Brazil Part 7
Teaching English In Brazil Part 6
Teaching English In Brazil Part 5
Teaching English In Brazil Part 4
Teaching English In Brazil Part 3
Teaching English In Brazil Part 2
A German Ring in the Brazilian Rainforest Part 4
A German Ring in the Brazilian Rainforest Part 3
Teaching English In Brazil - Part I
A German Ring in the Brazilian Rainforest Part 2
A German Ring in the Brazilian Rainforest Part 1
"Down in Brazil," with Michael Franks Part 3
"Down in Brazil," with Michael Franks Part 2
"Down in Brazil," with Michael Franks Part 1
Brazil: A Candid Talk with Gerald Thomas
Getting to the "bottom" of Brazil's Gerald Thomas
A Brazilian Diva Torn Between Europe and Brazil
The Enraged Genius of Brazil‘s Maestro Neschling
A German Ring in the Brazilian Rainforest
Brazil's Musical Polyglots: What Was That You Were Singing?
Did Bossa Nova Kill Opera in Brazil?
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1/24/2007
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