Villa-Lobos Live!

Track Listings

1. Allegro non troppo, Piano Concerto No 5, (Heitor Villa-Lobos/Felicja Blumental)

2. Poco adagio, Piano Concerto No 5, (Heitor Villa-Lobos/Felicja Blumental)

3. Allegretto scherzando - Allegretto, Piano Concerto No 5, (Heitor Villa-Lobos/Felicja Blumental)

4. Garibaldi foi a Missa, (Heitor Villa-Lobos/Felicja Blumental)

5. Dança do Indio Branco, (Heitor Villa-Lobos/Felicja Blumental)

6. Dança Brasileira, (Camargo Guarnieri/Felicja Blumental)

7. Serenata Humoristica, (Francisco Mignone/Felicja Blumental)

8. Preludio, Bachianas Brasileiras No 3 for Piano and Orchestra, (Heitor Villa-Lobos/Felicja Blumental)

9. Fantasia, Bachianas Brasileiras No 3 for Piano and Orchestra, (Heitor Villa-Lobos/Felicja Blumental)

10. Aria, Bachianas Brasileiras No 3 for Piano and Orchestra, (Heitor Villa-Lobos/Felicja Blumental)

11. Toccata, Bachianas Brasileiras No 3 for Piano and Orchestra, (Heitor Villa-Lobos/Felicja Blumental)

Editorial Reviews
Matthew Lindop, Classical Music UK, 30 June 2002
A collectors' item without doubt.

Avigail Arnheim, Blumental Festival, 3rd July 2002
A wonderfully restored live recording of Brazil's famous composer.

Album Description
In October 1954 Felicja Blumental was the soloist at a concert celebrating the anniversary of the City Of São Paulo, which was conducted by Villa-Lobos. On this occasion, Felicja Blumental played Bachianas Brasileiras No. 3.

Villa-Lobos was so impressed with Felicja Blumental’s performance that he promised to write a piano concerto for her. The fifth is dedicated to her and received its World Premiere at the Royal Festival Hall in London, with the London Philharmonic Orchestra on May 8, 1955.

On 25th May 1955, the concerto was recorded at a live performance with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra conducted by Villa-lobos at the Musikverein in Vienna.

A typical Felicja Blumental recital would present both more and less familiar works. A program given at the Anglo-Brazilian Society in London on November 15th, 1949 included Handel and Beethoven. The second half was devoted to the music of Brazil, and included Villa-Lobos' Chôros No. 5 'Alma Brasileira', A Mare Encheu, Garibaldi foi a Missa and his Dança do Indio Branco, as well as Francisco Mignone's Serenata Humoristica.

The "Bachianas Brasileiras" represent one of Villa-Lobos' most successful experiments. As the name implies, the form and style are meant to suggest both Bach and Brazilian national elements. The third, for piano and orchestra, is one of the most ambitious of the whole series of nine.

Each of the four movements of the Bachianas Brasileiras No. 3 has a conventional musical title and, in addition, a Brazilian subtitle The first movement, "Preludio," is a ponteio, indicating a kind of folk music of the Northern interior. The second movement, "Fantasia," is subtitled devaneia, or revery. The third, an aria, is subtitled modinha. The modinha is a type of Brazilian love song, known also in Portugal.

The finale is a brilliant toccata, called picapoo, or "woodpecker," evoking a particular dance of the states of Northern Brazil. After a prelude by the orchestra, the piano enters "meccanicamente" with a rapidly drummed dance rhythm. The whole movement is a dance evocation, with rhythm and brilliant percussive effects taking precedence over melodic invention. The Brazilian local colour is more evident in this movement than in any of the others.

Villa-Lobos Live!

Tracks:

Manha de Carnaval (Morning of the Carnaval)
Passelo no Rio (Walking in Rio)
Wave
Samba do Avial (Airplane Samba)
Sonha Iaia (Dreams of Iaia)
Seroes (a Modinha, slow and melancholy)
Batucada (African Dance)
Sonha de Magia (Dreams of Magic)
Po de Mico (Itching Powder)
Prelude 1
Prelude 2
Prelude 3
Prelude 4
Prelude 5
Chor No.1 Traditional (arr. by G. Garcia)
Como pode o Peixe (How can you live like the Fish)
Nesta Rua (In Our Street)
Samba Lele
Brazilliance
Retrato Brasileiro (Brazilian Portrait)
Deve ser Amor (It had to be Love)
Canto de Osanha
Xaranga do Vovo

Customer Reviews:

Splendid relaxing CD.......2005-01-31

I am not a guitarist, so I cannot really comment knowledgeably on Gerald Garcia's achievement here, but I feel I must add my voice to those who think this is a splendid CD: Naxos have always been good for a surprise, and I was surprised indeed to find them releasing music like this in 1988! The center of the disc, in more than one sense, is Heitor Villa-Lobos, with Garcia playing all five of his Preludes and his Choro No. 1 (which, due to a printing error on the cover, is accredited to Garcia himself as arranger, but that is not correct, he only arranged the following traditional melodies in the style of Savio). Around this center are arranged pieces by Bonfá, Jobim, Savio, Pernambuco, Almeida, Baden-Powell and Machado - all names that I had never heard of until I purchased this disc out of curiosity. The music is relaxing, only the Villa-Lobos is truly classical, and the sound (the recording was made at a studio in Heidelberg, Germany) is excellent, worthy of a full-price disc. To cap it all, there are Gerald Garcia's own notes giving plenty of background information. You can't go wrong here!

Rhythm is way off........2004-02-24

Great music (but not the jobim pieces). ---Like so many classical guitarists he obviously lacks rhythm- particularly on the *Jobim* pieces. if your releasing a cd of music from brazil and you are a classical guitarist from england you should have more understanding of the music. -However it is only seven bucks and there is some definite magic on this cd.~

And the price is right, too........2003-05-24

This is an exquisitely beautiful album that captures the very essence of Brazil.

Of all the solo guitar albums in my collection, this is the most expressive and poignant.

The performance is masterful, intricate and sensitive. There is a wide mastery of inflection and style.

Gerald Garcia is one of the true masters of solo guitar at any level much less Brazilian. (This album was recorded in 1988.)

So treat yourself to the best 72'46" of listening pleasure.

Bonfa and Jobim: what a double header!.......2001-06-07

I met the two of them in the past. I saw their shows and I bought their recordings. They never disappointed me, on the contrary: I always was amazed by their style and classy quality of sound. Now they return, together, to make us enjoy life in this way and mode: pleasantness in sound. If this would not suffice, there is a bonus, the performance of Gerald Garcia. Splendiferous! GF

He's pretty good!.......2000-07-04

This is a nice C.D. Fans of the Brasilian Classical guitar style will love it. Purists will probably have a lot of trouble with it. Gerald Garcia is from Canada originally (don't quote me on that though) - it seems there are still strong academic overtones in his playing. However, it's a great collection of Brasilian pieces which spans classical composers to Bossa nova and in between. What I like about this album is the fact that most pieces presented by Garcia are his own arrangements. It's truly a unique recording (which is rare in the classical guitar world). His greatest work is on the smaller, traditional Brasilian pieces. These are really charming rustic melodies which were first harmonized by Isaias Savio and very easy to play. But, Garcia takes them to a higher level - more technically demanding without ever losing the essence of the original works. In fact, with all due respect to Mestre Savio, they are great improvements on the originals.

There is a generous number of tracks here, displaying the wealth of work by a great guitarist. More importantly, the repetoire on the album moves away from the standard Albeniz, Granados, Tarrega, Sor collections that so many classical guitarists feel compelled to release. The pieces are probably familiar to most classical guitarists who enjoy playing Brasilian music, but, for those who've never heard or played the works of Almeida, Baden-Powell, Savio or Machado it will be a pleasant surprise. And for people who just like nice music, it will be a fantastic investment.

Daniel Barenboim Live From the Teatro Colon 2000
Average customer rating:

A luminous recital

Daniel Barenboim Live From the Teatro Colon 2000
Daniel Barenboim , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Fryderyk Chopin , and Alberto Ginastera
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00006YX6Q
Release Date: 2002-12-10

Tracks:

I. Allegretto Moderato
II. Andante Cantabile
III. Allegretto
I. Allegro Assai
II. Andante Con Moto
III. Allegro Ma Non Troppo - Presto
Sonata, Kk 9 In D Minor
Sonata, Kk 159 In C Major
Moment Musical, D780 (No.3) In F Minor
'Des Abends' (Fantasiestucke, Op.12 No.1)
Etude, Op.25 No.2 In F Minor
Nocturne, Op.27 No.2 In D Flat Major
Bailecito
Danza De La Moza Donosa (Danzas Argentinas, Op.2 No.3)
Polichinelle (Prole Do Bebe, Book 1, 1918)

Amazon.com

Recorded August 19th, 2000 at the Téatro Colon in Buenos Aires, Daniel Barenboim's recital commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of his debut (at age seven) yields uneven results. In Beethoven's "Appassionata" Sonata, for instance, the pianist is below his best form. In contrast to his more controlled (and better engineered) DG recording, Barenboim forgoes the finale's essential repeat, and pounds his way through the coda with no pretense to subtlety. He swoons over Scarlatti's D Minor "Pastorale" sonata, and lays heavily into the C Major (K. 159) Sonata's dancing patterns. Mozart's K. 330 Sonata in the same key comes alive through Barenboim's witty, incisive way with the Finale. Following an iron-bound, charmless Schubert F Minor Moment musical, Barenboim positively sings out Schumann's Des Abends and the Chopin F Minor Etude and D-flat Nocturne. The Resta, Ginastera, and Villa-Lobos encores are played to the hilt, with all the idiomatic élan they deserve. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

A luminous recital.......2006-11-05

Barenboim never forgets his birth land. From time to time, he returns to give the best of his interpretative skills, but the big difference between and the rest of the keyboard players resides in his astonishing vision and well thought approach around the single or elemental piano work

Daniel illuminates the score due his directorial conception around the work; and as well as Ashkenazy, Perahia, Badura Skoda or Edwin Fisher this double vision nourishes and enriches the composition to play.

So, this is a very recommendable album to acquire. Barenboim in the peak of his powers giving the best of his craftsmanship.

Dorothy Kirsten: Live Performances 1944-1975

Average customer rating:

Beautiful voice.
The superb artistry of Dorothy Kirsten

Dorothy Kirsten: Live Performances 1944-1975

Manufacturer: Video Artists Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000003LKH
Release Date: 1995-08-22

Tracks:

Bachiana Brasileira No. 5
La Traviata: Ah, Fors' E Lui...Sempre Libera
La Traviata: Teneste La Promessa...Addio Del Passato
La Traviata: Ed Or Si Scriva A Lui... Amami, Alfredo
TOSCA: Perche Chiuso?
Madama Butterfly: Bimba, Bimba, Non Piangere...Bimba Dagli Occhi Pieni Di Malia
Madama Butterfly: Bimba, Bimba, Non Piangere...Bimba Dagli Occhi Pieni Di Malia
TOSCA: Vissi D'Arte
Manon Lescaut: Sola, Perduta, Abbandonata
Madama Butterfly: Tu, Tu, Piccolo Iddio
Adriana Lecouvreur: Io Son L'Umile Ancella
La rondine: Chi Il Bel Sogno Di Doretta
Louise: Depuis Le Jour
Manon: Gavotte
Madama Butterfly: Un Bel Di Vedremo

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful voice........2003-01-20

This is a delightful CD of live performances. The sound quality is decent but not outstanding, considering when it was recorded (live). If you like Dorothy Kirsten, you will enjoy this recording, especially the haunting Bachiana Brasileira No. 5. My only reservation is that the quality of the sound reproduction on some of the older recordings sounds rather flawed on a good modern music system, which reveals all its weaknesses.

The superb artistry of Dorothy Kirsten.......2002-07-01

If you like sopranos, especially the well-known greats like Maria Callas, Renata Tebaldi, and Leontyne Price (just to name a few), then you must give your ears a delicious treat by listening to the superb artistry of Dorothy Kirsten. Get this CD, then go immediately to Track #11 - Io son l'umile ancella ("I am the humble handmaiden" - of the poet or playwright). The composer captured this humility in his poignant melodic phrasing and ends with: "Un soffio e la mia voce que al nuovo di morra" ("My voice is but a breath which will die at the dawning of a new day.") By the time they're ready for their "big note", too many prima donnas, having been servants just about as long as they can stand it, throw off their serving aprons and don their breast plates for a frontal attack, summoning all their strength in Wagnerian proportions to fill the rafters and bring the house down. Only a few, rare, gifted sopranos (like Magda Olivero and Dorothy Kirsten) delicately spin remarkable pianissimi, and hold those breathless flights of vocal purity till you honestly believe they will, in fact, die on the morrow. (I've never heard Monserrat Caballe in the role, but I imagine she would join the ranks of Kirsten and Olivero.

Then it's back to the beginning and the haunting melody of Villa-Lobos. Kirsten sings the Brasileira flawlessly, with a certain mysterious elegance. Unfortunately, the sound editing of this CD is lacking. The dreaminess of Villa-Lobos is jarred by the harsh brassy sound of a track taken from a live recording. But soon, you've adjusted to the sound and you allow yourself to be entranced by a youthful, fun-loving courtesan who suddenly finds herself wondering if real love is really possible. Listening to Kirsten, you get a deep insight into Violetta's astonishment that someone might actually love her!

As you listen to each selection on this marvelous collection, you hear a soprano whose artistry is superb while she lets her voice do the acting. For Kirsten, the Puccini heroines were her bread and butter and she perfected them like no other soprano (no, not even Callas or Tebaldi). When Kirsten sang, she entered into the character totally.

I had the privilege of seeing her several times each in Manon Lescaut, Tosca, Madama Butterfly, and La Fanciulla del West. It is the world's loss that she never made any commercial recordings of these operas. The Metropolitan Opera Record Club in the 1950's issued abridged versions of Tosca and Butterfly, both of which show the great artistry of that magnificent singing actress, but unfortunately we have only the Poker scene, with Mario Sereni, on The Voice of Firestone VHS release, to give us a hint as to the intensity she brought to the role of Minnie in La Fanciulla del West.

So enjoy every note, every pause, every emotive shudder on this recording. And discover why even people like Frank Sinatra and Gordon Macrae chose Dorothy as their leading lady. See why Dorothy Kirsten was chosen to represent American Culture in Russia at the height of the cold war.

Tracks:

Allegro non troppo, Piano Concerto No 5, (Heitor Villa-Lobos/Felicja Blumental)
Poco adagio, Piano Concerto No 5, (Heitor Villa-Lobos/Felicja Blumental)
Allegretto scherzando - Allegretto, Piano Concerto No 5, (Heitor Villa-Lobos/Felicja Blumental)
Garibaldi foi a Missa, (Heitor Villa-Lobos/Felicja Blumental)
Dando Indio Branco, (Heitor Villa-Lobos/Felicja Blumental)
DanBrasileira, (Camargo Guarnieri/Felicja Blumental)
Serenata Humoristica, (Francisco Mignone/Felicja Blumental)
Preludio, Bachianas Brasileiras No 3 for Piano and Orchestra, (Heitor Villa-Lobos/Felicja Blumental)
Fantasia, Bachianas Brasileiras No 3 for Piano and Orchestra, (Heitor Villa-Lobos/Felicja Blumental)
Aria, Bachianas Brasileiras No 3 for Piano and Orchestra, (Heitor Villa-Lobos/Felicja Blumental)
Toccata, Bachianas Brasileiras No 3 for Piano and Orchestra, (Heitor Villa-Lobos/Felicja Blumental)

Album Description

In October 1954 Felicja Blumental was the soloist at a concert celebrating the anniversary of the City Of São Paulo, which was conducted by Villa-Lobos. On this occasion, Felicja Blumental played Bachianas Brasileiras No. 3.

Villa-Lobos was so impressed with Felicja Blumental's performance that he promised to write a piano concerto for her. The fifth is dedicated to her and received its World Premiere at the Royal Festival Hall in London, with the London Philharmonic Orchestra on May 8, 1955.

On 25th May 1955, the concerto was recorded at a live performance with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra conducted by Villa-lobos at the Musikverein in Vienna.

Customer Reviews:

villa lobos live...blumenthal.......2004-07-03

this is a stunning cd and Blumenthal makes a very strong case for the 5th Concerto, and particularly for the 3rd Brachianas Brasilieras.

The composer conducts only the concerto on this disc, incidentally.

THe piano playing is very strong and convincing, and the sound which BLumenthal achieves from the instrument is at times most impressive.

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

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Solo Quartet

1. Allegro non troppo, Piano Concerto No 5, (Heitor Villa-Lobos/Felicja Blumental)
2. Poco adagio, Piano Concerto No 5, (Heitor Villa-Lobos/Felicja Blumental)
3. Allegretto scherzando - Allegretto, Piano Concerto No 5, (Heitor Villa-Lobos/Felicja Blumental)
4. Garibaldi foi a Missa, (Heitor Villa-Lobos/Felicja Blumental)
5. Dança do Indio Branco, (Heitor Villa-Lobos/Felicja Blumental)
6. Dança Brasileira, (Camargo Guarnieri/Felicja Blumental)
7. Serenata Humoristica, (Francisco Mignone/Felicja Blumental)
8. Preludio, Bachianas Brasileiras No 3 for Piano and Orchestra, (Heitor Villa-Lobos/Felicja Blumental)
9. Fantasia, Bachianas Brasileiras No 3 for Piano and Orchestra, (Heitor Villa-Lobos/Felicja Blumental)
10. Aria, Bachianas Brasileiras No 3 for Piano and Orchestra, (Heitor Villa-Lobos/Felicja Blumental)
11. Toccata, Bachianas Brasileiras No 3 for Piano and Orchestra, (Heitor Villa-Lobos/Felicja Blumental)