Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras No. 2, 5, 6, 9

On this CD:

1. Bachianas Brasileiras No. 2, for orchestra, A. 247
Composed by Heitor Villa-Lobos
Performed by L'Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Francaise
Conducted by Heitor Villa-Lobos

2. Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5, for voice & 8 cellos, A. 389
Composed by Heitor Villa-Lobos
Performed by L'Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Francaise
Conducted by Heitor Villa-Lobos

3. Bachianas Brasileiras No. 6, for flute & bassoon, A. 392
Composed by Heitor Villa-Lobos
Performed by L'Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Francaise
Conducted by Heitor Villa-Lobos

4. Bachianas Brasileiras No. 9, for chorus (or string orchestra), A. 449
Composed by Heitor Villa-Lobos
Performed by L'Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Francaise
Conducted by Heitor Villa-Lobos

Tracks:

Introducao - Embolada
Preludio - Modinha
Fuga - Conversa (Conversation)
Preludio - O Canto Do Capadocio (Scamp's Song)
Aria - O Canto Da Nossa Terra (Song Of Our Lamb)
Danca - Lembranca Do Sertao (Rememberance Of The Bush)
Toccata - O Trenzinho Do Caipira (The Peasant's Little Train)
Preludio (Ponteio)
Fantasia (Devaneio) (Digression)
Aria - Modinha
Toccata (Picapu)

Tracks:

Preludio (Introducao)
Coral (Canto Do Sertao) (Song Of The Bush)
Aria (Cantiga)
Danca (Miudinho)
Aria (Cantilena)
Danca (Martelo)
Aria (Choro)
Fantasia

Tracks:

Preludio (Ponteio)
Giga (Quadrilha Caipira) (Country Quadrille)
Toccata (Desafio) (Joust)
Fuga (Conversa) (Conversation)
Preludio
Aria (Modinha)
Toccata (Catira Batida)
Fuga
Preludio (Vagaroso E Mistico)
Fuga (Poco Apressado)

Amazon.com

This is a three-CD set that includes all of Villa-Lobos' moody Bachianas Brasileiras. The best known is the fifth, for soprano and eight cellos (well performed here), but there is a wealth hidden among the others. There are dance movements galore; the second builds to a wonderfully percussive and powerful final movement; the eighth, despite an upbeat old folk dance as its centerpiece, has a melancholic warmth that is irresistible. The flute and bassoon duet that makes up No. 6 is rich and expressive, and the solo pianist has his work cut out for him in No. 3. All of them show a use of counterpoint that is truly skillful, and these performances--the only complete, modern set, not to mention at a bargain price--bring out all of the delicacies in the music. A real find. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Brazilian Music Extraordinaire.......2007-01-26

Jose Feghali is a Brazilian pianist, and interprets this music with great artistic flair! The whole recording was a pleasant surprise, since I didn't expect a high level of playing from the Nashville Symphony. I highly recommend this recording as an especially good value for the price.

rare gem.......2007-01-04

Villa-Lobos is a Brazilian composer of the 20th century who deserves more attention. There are relatively few recordings of his works. This complete recording of the 9 Bachianas Brasileiras is a rare pleasure. The Bachianas are considered some of the lighter and easier works of Villa-Lobos and are based on Bach's music. Still, they can't be considered easy listening at first. After a few hearings, however, the music grows on you and you come to realize their beauty.

The best introduction to Villa-Lobos available.......2006-07-23

The Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959) was very prolific, composing 12 symphonies, 5 piano concertos, 17 string quartets, 14 "Choros," numerous ballets and other orchestral works, and 9 "Bachianas Brasileiras." Although Villa-Lobos' style is firmly nationalistic, his individual works are highly varied, with some pieces being highly structured while others are virtually improvisatory. Likewise, the forces employed by Villa-Lobos vary substantially. For instance, compare the 9 minute Bachianas Brasileiras No. 6 scored for flute and bassoon against the half hour long Bachianas Brasileiras No. 3 for piano and orchestra. However, the scoring of Bachianas is more uniform and the style more traditional in comparison to, say, the Choros, making them a good entry point for those unfamiliar with this composer.

You may ask "What exactly is a Bachianas Brasileiras?" Well, a Bachianas Brasileiras is a multi-movement musical form developed by Villa-Lobos in which the harmonic and contrapuntal traits of Bach are combined with elements of Brazilian music. Each Bachianas can be thought of as a Baroque suite, with each movement containing two titles; one signifying a Baroque form, such as "Toccata" or "Fugue," and a second title borrowed from Brazilian music, such as "Picapu" or "Modhinha." This combination may seem a little strange, but Villa-Lobos combines the two elements naturally. For Villa-Lobos the combination was almost logical, as the traditional music of Brazil is itself very contrapuntal.

What makes the Bachianas attractive are their consistent high level of inventiveness and variety. The tunes are memorable, while the counterpoint and orchestral coloring are highly distinctive. One of my favorites is the second Bachianas, the final movement of which is a depiction of a train chugging through the forests of Brazil. This Bachianas also features some highly memorable trombone and saxophone solos. Yet, undoubtedly the composer's favorite instrument is the cello. The first Bachianas is scored for "an orchestra of cellos" and the fifth (the most popular) is scored for soprano and eight cellos. The composer's characteristic use of this instrument throughout the set creates a sensuous atmosphere.

These works are filled with other interesting tidbits, such as the composer's incorporation of bird calls into several movements (the woodpecker in toccata of No. 3, the blacksmith bird in the chorale of No. 4, with various birds emulated by the soprano in No. 5). The movements of the works range from exciting dance pieces to lamenting arias. The aria of No. 4 is especially lovely. Another favorite is the toccata of No. 7, with its exotic sounding percussion and aggressive orchestral playing representative of improvised singing contests Villa-Lobos heard on the streets of Brazil, with a Bach-like violin line emerging from the texture.

What makes this set, in particular, a must have is the great playing by the Nashville Symphony Orchestra (especially the strings), the Naxos price, and the fact that this release constitutes the complete Bachianas. But, this isn't the only set out there. I can mention that the sound quality here blows the (very poor) sound quality of Villa-Lobos' recordings of certain of these works (dating from the 1950's) clear out of the water. The second, third and fourth Bachianas have been recently recorded by the Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra on the BIS label. That recording is very good, and some of the playing by that orchestra slightly cleaner, although I would recommend the Naxos recording over that one, as a starting point, on the basis of completeness.

Fans of twentieth century orchestral music need not hesitate. These colorful, immediately accessible, works will give you years of listening pleasure. Get it.

CD 1: 73:10
CD 2: 40:42
CD 3: 62:22

A Wonderful New Recording of the Great Cycle.......2006-06-16

How wonderful it is to have a fresh, new, all-digital interpretation of the great 9-piece cycle of the Bachianas Brasilieras of Villa-Lobos. We so often hear just the highlights -- the 5th, with soporano and eight cellos, and the "Little Train" of the second -- but here is a thoughtful performance of all these unusual and creative compositions combining the discipline and chromatic transitions of Bach with the untempered wildness and melodic exuberance of Brazil.

While I enjoyed the earlier recording by Alfonso Moreno and the Orquestra Filharmonica de la Ciudad de Mexico on EMI, that recording seems to have all the notes, but not all of the music -- in places it sounds heavy, mechanical, and not imbued with deep understanding of the music. This new recording is a great effort, and it's a shame that this music is so seldom programmed by the major symphony orchestras.

There are a few items I could quibble with -- I don't like the wide vibrato of soprano Rosana Lamosa in the fifth, and the bassoon sound of the unattributed player in the sixth is somewhat muffled, as if played in the French style. But these are really minor points when considered in the light of the overall performance cycle. You have the wonderful cello sound of the Modinha (2nd movement of No. 1 -- "one long sigh" as one reviewer has called it); the excellent trombone solos in the 2nd; an accurate playing of the "Little Train," not a caricature, and still perhaps the best "train" image in music; and I could go on and on.

But let's just stop here and say that this is a really wonderful addition to the Villa-Lobos literature, as well as to all music, and let's hope that others will become aware of the marvelous music of this most prolific Brazilian composer.

A Glowing Performance of the Entire Cycle of Bachianas Brasileiras .......2005-12-17

Heitor Villa-Lobos is probably best known for this cycle of works under the title 'Bachianas Brasileiras' and while certain of these enchanting pieces are standard repertoire ('Toccata - O Trenzinho Do Caipira' and the luxuriously gorgeous 'Cantilena' for soprano and eight celli), the remainder of this startlingly fine composition is rarely heard.

Fortunate we are, then, that Kenneth Schermerhorn and the Nashville Symphony made this complete set. The individual works are varied and disparate in orchestration, sort of a 'Concerto for Chamber Orchestra'! Each piece is never less than fascinating in rhythmic detail and structure and there are some very beautiful melodies strung throughout the cycle.

The total of twenty-nine pieces are comfortably spaced over three discs and the recorded sound is rich and warm. This is an important recording and priced at the level that it is generally affordable! Highly recommended on all levels. Grady Harp, December 05

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Exceptional Collection

Bedroom Adagios

Manufacturer: Decca
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ASIN: B0000BWVBV
Release Date: 2003-09-09

Tracks:

Concerto For Harpischord, Strings, And Continuo No. 5 In F Minor, BWV 1056 - Raymond Leppard
Concerto Grosso In B Minor, Op. 6, No. 12 - The Academy Of St Martin-In-The-Fields
Pavane For A Dead Princess - Steve Erquiaga
Romance For String Orchestra - The Academy Of St Martin-In-The-Fields
Carnival Of The Animals - Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 - Alexandre Lagoya
En Bateau - l'ochestre de la suisse romande
Humming Chorus - BBC Concert Orchestra
Sicilienne - Steve Erquaiaga
Italiana - The Academy Of St Martin-In-The-Fields
Una Furtiva Lagrima - BBC Concert Orchestra
Chanson De Matin, Op. 15, No. 2 - BBC Concert Orchestra
Suite In E Major For Lute, BWV 1006A/1000 - Eduardo Fernandez
Touch Her Soft Lips, And Part - Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Suite for Cello Solo No. 3 In C Major, BWV 1009 - Pepe Romero
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Julian Lloyd Webber
Pavane - Nicholas Kraemer
Serenade For Strings In E Major, Op. 22 - The Academy Of St Martin-In-The-Fields

Tracks:

O Mio Babbino Caro - BBC Concert Orchestra
Cavatina - Goran Sollscher
La Fileuse - L'Orchestre De La Suisse Romande
Flower Duet (Sous Le Dome Epais) - BBC Concert Orchestra
Pied-En-L'Air - Nicholas Kraemer
Arioso - Steve Erquiaga
Two Aquarelles - English Chamber Orchestra
In Paradisum - Stephen Cleobury
After A Dream - Steve Erquiaga
Suite For Cello Solo No. 1 In G Major, BWV 1007 - Mischa Maisky
My Bonny Boy - The Academy Of St Martin-In-The-Fields
Concerto For Guitar In D Major, RV 93 - Eduardo Fernandez
Un Bel Di - BBC Concert Orchestra
Holbert Suite, Op. 40 - Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
Concerto For Oboe In D Minor, BWV 1059 - Heinz Holliger
Vissi D'Arte - BBC Concert Orchestra
Sheep May Safely Graze - William Bennett
Fantasia On Greensleeves - William Bennett

Customer Reviews:

Exceptional Collection.......2003-12-31

I have heard many, many classical "mood" collections, and this is one of the best, with many surprise selections.
It is consistently restful and calming.
I recommend it highly.

Average customer rating:

The best Villa Lobos available
Historic
It was okay in the early days when V-L was unrecorded
For Villalobos Fans Only

Villa-Lobos par lui-même
Heitor Villa-Lobos , Orchestre National de la Radio diffusion Française , French Radio Choir , Fernand Benedetti , Victoria de Los Angeles , René Alix , Louis Martini , Maria Kareska , Manoel Braune , Fernand Dufrene , Orchestre de la Radio France , Rene Plessier , Maurice Cliquennois , Aline Van Barentzen , Henri Branschwak , Magda Tagliaferro , and Felicia Blumental
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
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Villa-Lobos: Forest of the Amazon
Villa-Lobos: Choros 1-7

ASIN: B000002SBL
Release Date: 1991-04-05

Tracks:

Descobrimento do Brasil: Premiere Suite: Introducao - Alegria
Descobrimento do Brasil: Deuxieme Suite: Impressao Moura (Cancao)
Descobrimento do Brasil: Deuxieme Suite: Adagio sentimental
Descobrimento do Brasil: Deuxieme Suite: Cascavel
Descobrimento do Brasil: Troisieme Suite: Impressao Iberica
Descobrimento do Brasil: Troiseme Suite: Festa nas selvas
Descobrimento do Brasil: Troiseme Suite: Ualaloce
Descobrimento do Brasil: Quatrieme Suite: Procissao da Cruz (Visao dos Navegantes)
Descobrimento do Brasil: Quatrieme Suite: Primeira Missa no Brazil
Invocacao em defesa da Patria

Tracks:

Bachianas Brasileiras No. 1, pour ensemble de violoncelles: I. Introduction (Embolada)
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 1, pour ensemble de violoncelles: II. Prelude (Modinha)
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 1, pour ensemble de violoncelles: III. Fugue (Conversa)
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 2, pour orchestre: I. Prelude (Canto do capadocio)
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 2, pour orchestre: II. Aria (Canto da nossa terra)
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 2, pour orchestre: III. Danse (Lembranca do Sertao)
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 2, pour orchestre: IV. Toccata (O Trenzinho do Caipira)
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 3 pour piano et orchestre: I. Prelude (Ponteio)
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 3 pour piano et orchestre: II. Fantaisie (Devaneio)
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 3 pour piano et orchestre: III. Aria (Modinha)
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 3 pour piano et orchestre: IV. Toccata (Picapau)

Tracks:

Bachianas Brasileiras No. 4, pour orchestre: I. Prelude (Introducao)
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 4, pour orchestre: II. Choral (Canto do Sertao)
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 4, pour orchestre: III. Aria (Cantiga)
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 4, pour orchestre: IV. Danse (Miudinho)
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 pour soprano et 8 violoncelles: I. Aria (Cantilena)
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 pour soprano et 8 violoncelles: II. Danse (Martelo)
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 6 pour flute et basson: I. Aria (Choro)
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 6 pour flute et basson: II. Fantaise
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 7 pour orchestre: I. Prelude (Ponteio)
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 7 pour orchestre: II. Gigue (Quadrilha Caipira)
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 7 pour orchestre: III. Toccata (Desafio)
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 7 pour orchestre: IV. Fugue (Conversa)

Tracks:

Bachianas Brasileiras No. 8, pour orchestre: I. Prelude
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 8, pour orchestre: II. Aria (Modinha)
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 8, pour orchestre: III. Toccata (Catira Batida)
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 8, pour orchestre: IV. Fugue
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 9, pour archestre a cordes: Prelude (vagaroso e mistico) et fugue (poco apressado)
Choros No. 2, pour flute et clarinette
Choros No. 5, pour piano 'Alma Brasileira'
Choros No. 10 'Rasga o coracao', pour choeur et orchestre
2 Choros (bis), pour violon et violoncelle: I. Modere
2 Choros (bis), pour violon et violoncelle: II. Lent

Tracks:

Choros No. 11, pour piano et orchestre: I. Premiere partie
Choros No. 11, pour piano et orchestre: II. Deuxieme partie
Choros No. 11, pour piano et orchestre: III. Troisieme partie
Qu'est-ce qu'um Choros? (Villa-Lobos parle)

Tracks:

Momoprecoce, Fantasia pour piano et orchestre sur le carnaval des enfants bresiliens
Concerto No. 5, pour piano et orchestre: Allegro non troppo
Concerto No. 5, pour piano et orchestre: II. Poco adagio
Concerto No. 5, pour piano et orchestre: III. Allegretto scherzando
Concerto No. 5, pour piano et orchestre: IV. Allegro
Symphonie No. 4 'A Victoria': I. Allegro impetuoso
Symphonie No. 4 'A Victoria': II. Andante
Symphonie No. 4 'A Victoria': III. Lento
Symphonie No. 4 'A Victoria': IV. Allegro (avec fanfare)

Customer Reviews:

The best Villa Lobos available.......2006-03-24

About the album : this is the best recording available in the market. Conducted by the own Villa , this is a historic recording , plent of brightness. Perfect remasterized.

About Amazon.con : fast and reliable mail service. stuffs have arrived good packaged and factory sealed. Great service

Historic.......2004-01-31

Opposite Rio de Janeiro's small Villa Lobos museum -- in what was his last home -- is a modern apartment building. Its name is Edificio Sebastiao Bach. VL would have loved it: he adored Bach above all other composers. Hence the 'Bachianas Brasilieras' (which, however, owe little to Bach beyond their joy in sound and intricacy in structure).

What previous reviewers have said is true. The sound on these disks is abominable. A much better job could be done -- and should have been done -- of remastering the originals. That won't happen unless there's a sudden renewal of interest in the music of this Brazilian master.

Further, the the performances -- and the composer's conducting -- are generally lackluster. Still, any VL lover should not be without this set. Toscanini no doubt did a better job with Brahms's symphonies. But who wouldn't give his soul for a recording of Brahms himself conducting the four of them?

One special recommendation: the 'Choros' stand close to the summit of VL's art, more so than the BBs. A dance not a choral form, the 'choro' is both universally appealing and quintessentially Brazilian.

It was okay in the early days when V-L was unrecorded.......2003-09-25

This set comprises a huge array of Villa-Lobos' works conducted by himself and, sorry to say, none too well. He seems to lack the sensitivity other interpreters can bring to his work - he's far from alone in this situation - many composers have fallen into the same trap. The textures are thick, the sound cluttered (mono it might be but surely the engineers could have done better?) and the music simply lacks the excitement of which it is capable to no small degree. In part, the orcehstra is barely capable of performing such music. Stravinsky was one thing - Villa-Lobos' internal rhythmic complexity and stubbornly awkward manuscript writing is something aside. He did not always notate in the simplest way.

Probably the best item in the set is the "Discovery of Brazil Suite". At least it received an audience and was not re-recorded until very recently. Some of the Bachianas have been handled better by others but at least this recording was a first complete set. Only the No. 5 was otherwise known.

I have to confess that if I'd encountered Villa-Lobos through these performances I doubt I'd have followed through. Thankfully I came in via the accomplished and brilliant performance of his Quintette en forme de Choros by the New York Wind Quintet. Later, I encountered the LPs of the "Discovery of Brazil Suite", credible but flat, compared with other recordings appearing around the same time. Compare, for instance, his own 1958 recording of Forest of the Amazon in which he shows how well he can conduct if he tries, not to forget the superb hi-fi stereo recording that really let light and air into the performance.

Nonetheless, I bought this set on the strength of price and to have the "Discovery" Suite on CD, along with a couple of his Bachianas. I would not recommend these discs as an introduction to the composer. Do not be tempted by its modest price!

For Villalobos Fans Only.......2000-05-01

There is one reason and one reason only to buy this box set of historical recordings made by Villalobos himself in the 1950s: a fanatic admiration for the works of this composer. But you should know that if you love this music, you should be prepared to buy other, more recent, recordings of these works. These are mono recordings, and the sound textures you expect from this composer are therefore muddled and flattened (the beautiful Choros No. 2 is the biggest victim here, which sounds so flat that you will miss the playful contrasts between the flute and the clarinet). You should also know that Villalobos is not a great conductor, but the lack of precision in the playing is often compensated by the emotional weigth he gives to his performances (he appears to have been a crowd pleaser). There are many pleasures, however, and I listen to disc number 3, which includes the Bachianas Brasileiras 4-7 so often that it has become a soundtrack to my life. Bachianas 4 and 7 deserve more listeners. The famous Bachiana Brasileira No. 5 included in this set, is sung by Victoria de los Angeles beautifully, but this performance is also available in a single CD anthology. I am giving this set three stars: one for the historic importance of these EMI records, one for the affordability and completeness of the box set itself (it is a bargain at $6 per CD), and one for the emotional significance of hearing these performances conducted by Villalobos (I am a Latin American and this music fills me with both pleasure and pride).

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For Pilates

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0009K8LCK
Release Date: 2005-06-14

Average customer rating:

Enjoy!

Mela Viola

Manufacturer: ESS.A.Y.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Lillian Fuchs: Complete Music for Unaccompanied Viola

ASIN: B000000840
Release Date: 1997-01-01

Tracks:

Org Con No.3: Adagio
Spanish Dance No.2: Orientale
Hopak
Nocturne In d, Op.19, No.4
Piece Pour Alto Et Pno, Op.39
Scherzo, Opus Posthumous
Melodies And Progressive Studies, Book 1: Etude No.19-'The Gossip'
Prld, Op.57 No.1
Waltz, Op.57 No.2
Mazurka, Op.57 No.3
Hommage A Paganini, Op.9: Capriccio
Beau Soir
Hungarian Dance No.2
Hungarian Dance No.3
Bachianas Brasileras No.5: Aria
Apres Un Reve
Thais: Meditation
The Little Ste, No.6: Perpetuo Mobile

Customer Reviews:

Enjoy!.......2001-04-24

I have a number of recordings like this for violin, including those by this artist. Collections like this for viola are a bit more rare. What a treat! ESS.A.Y is apparently a mom and pop recording company, but the sound is superb.

Heitor Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras

Average customer rating:

The radiant splendor of Amazonian jungle!
It doesn't get any better

Heitor Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002RO4
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Bachiana Brasileira No.2: Prelude: La chanson du campagnard
Bachiana Brasileira No.2: Aria: Le chant de notre terre
Bachiana Brasileira No.2: Dansa: Souvenir de desert
Bachiana Brasileira No.2: Toccata: Le petit train du paysan bresilien
Bachiana Brasileira No.5: Aria: cantilena
Bachiana Brasileira No.5: Danse: martelo
Bachiana Brasileira No.6: Aria
Bachiana Brasileira No.6: Fantasia
Bachiana Brasileira No.9: Prelude e Fuga

Customer Reviews:

The radiant splendor of Amazonian jungle!.......2007-07-10

The huge efforts of this renowned and talented conductor in order to divulge the most remarkable artistic achievement of Hector Villalobos is worthy to mention, not only because its intrinsic virtues, but for the radiant adaptation of Bach's mood conveyed to this side of the ocean, where the poetry crackles, beats and lives with majestic splendor vibrating with these unimaginable, mesmerizing and superb landscapes. There is too, a heartfelt sentiment and powerful conviction about the meaning of Bach as the oldest musician of the future" according those emblematic praise from Pablo Casals

It doesn't get any better.......2007-06-22

There's nothing worse than reviewers trying to describe in detail each aria or movement of a recording (in my humble opinion). What helps is to read what one likes or dislikes about the piece. What I love about this music is it's sensitivity. Paul Capolongo does a fine job conducting the Paris Orchestra which exudes emotion. Villa-Lobos deserves praise for these modern works. The highlight of course is Mady Mesple in the No. 5 aria cantilena. Her voice always adds a warm ethereal quality which makes her one of the greatest coloratura ever recorded. She reigned in Lakme like no other and "The very best of Mady Mesple" is well worth every cent as well. Just sit quietly and listen to the end of Brachiana Brasileira No. 5 aria on this CD. Her pianissimo is so soft and quiet, you won't hear it unless the volume is turned up quite high. There may be others who do this aria well but to this listener, Mady Mesple will always set the gold standard for this piece.

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Villa-Lobos: Songs

Manufacturer: Etcetera
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000000QF
Release Date: 1994-04-14

Tracks:

Parici Lullaby
Parici Drinking Song
Caboclo Lullaby
Makumba Religious Chant
Charm Song
Backwoods Modinha
Minas gerais: Desafio
Old Popular Modinha
Carioca Modinha
Embolada
Bachianas Brasileiras #5: Aria
Bachianas Brasileiras #5: Martelo
Three Indigenous Poems: The Yellow Bird
Three Indigenous Poems: Teiru
Three Indigenous Poems: Iara
Forest Of The Amazon: Sails
Forest Of The Amazon: Love Song
Forest Of The Amazon: Twilight
Forest Of The Amazon: Sentimental Melody

Sounds of Excellence: 200 Greatest Classics, Vol. 1

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Sounds of Excellence: 200 Greatest Classics, Vol. 1

Manufacturer: Platinum Disc
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200 Greatest Classics, Vol. 7
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200 Greatest Classics, Vol. 4
Sounds of Excellence: 200 Greatest Classics, Vol. 2

ASIN: B00003XAE5
Release Date: 2000-07-21

Brian Asawa - Vocalise / Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields

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My God! My God!!!
Countertenor achievement
Loss of time
I don't know what some of you are talking about!
Opera News Recital Album of the Year!...I agree

Brian Asawa - Vocalise / Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields

Manufacturer: RCA
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Brian Asawa - The Dark Is My Delight And Other 16th Century Lute Songs / Tayler

ASIN: B00000DFKG
Release Date: 1999-03-09

Tracks:

Le Voyageur, Op.18 No.2
Nocturne, Op.43 No.2
Arpege, Op.76 No.2
En Sourdine, Op.58 No.2
Pavane, Op.50
Das Veilchen, Op.18 No.5
Mailied, Op.6 No.2
Aus 'Claudine von Villa-Bella,' Op.6 No.5
Aus 'Erwin und Elmire,' Op.15 No.4
Suite-Vocalise, Op.41 No.2
Cancao do Amor
0' pallida Madona
Bachianas Brasileiras, No.5: Aria cantilena
I Wait For Thee, Op.14 No.1
As Fair As Noon, Op.14 No.9
To Her, Op.38 No.2
In The Silent Night, Op.4 No.3
Vocalise, Op.34 No.14

Amazon.com

During the planning stages of this project, someone should have thought more seriously about the question, "Why are we doing this?" This collection of "vocalises and newly orchestrated songs" by Fauré, Medtner, Villa-Lobos, and Rachmaninoff, as impressive as it is for its ambition and concept, amounts to a disconcerting mismatch of voice and music. Countertenor Brian Asawa delivers plenty of pretty sounds, but he just doesn't have the emotional range or dramatic tools to make convincing interpretations. Technically, he is nearly flawless, but there's a sameness to every sweetly sung selection. In the famous and oft-performed "Pavane" by Fauré, you're distracted by Asawa's covered, unnatural-sounding quality and his inability to get precisely together with the melody line in the orchestra. This back-of-the-throat sound also gets in the way of clarity in the songs with texts--we can't really hear what these pieces are about. You'll enjoy this recording best if you just focus on the lush sound and skip the awkwardly executed "Suite-Vocalise" by Medtner. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

My God! My God!!!.......2005-01-09

Mr. Asawa is flawless on this album, but then again I may be biased since he is one of my favorite Countertenors and since I am a starting Countertenor myself. I particularly fell in love with Villa-Lobos''Cancao do amor,'and 'Bachinas Brasilieras.' Not to mention ALL of the works by Rachmaninov; YES even the vocalise!

Mr. Asawa's voice is deliciously full and sensual as well as smooth. I agree with the above person who wrote that we should review this based on the fact that he as a classical vocalist is simply good! Not because he's good as far as being a countertenor is concerned or the fact that he sounds better/poorly than a mezzo. He's a vocalist and a damn good on in his own right. Give him his due for what he has put out. I truly love this album and Mr. Asawa.

I give it a 20 on a scale from 1-19!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Countertenor achievement.......2004-07-08

We may have heard some of these pieces performed by female singers but I have never heard them performed by any countertenor. Aside from his daring, Mr. Asawa displays amazing (I'll even confess 'enviable') skill and artistry. His "pretty" voice (as it is touted....and his voice IS gorgeously endearing) is indisputable, and though I don't hold him as the authority on Rachmaninov's 'Vocalise', for example (for me that authority belongs to Anna Moffo), I appreciate his 'take' on it. This is the countertenor voice.

I also appreciate that some may not be able to break the mould of traditions concerning the performance of these pieces but that is not to deny the fact that the countertenor voice in these songs is brilliant, by that (countertenor) standard. I go even further to say that the concept of a countertenor (and Mr. Asawa's ravishing one in particular) here adds an intruiging new feel to the works. We KNOW it's not Natalie Dessay or Joan Sutherland singing, though we love them too. This CD is more of an indulgence, to say the very least (and I say that not prejudice Mr. A's performance).

Overall, this CD is certainly a fair introduction to these pieces with great performances in some parts. But more idiomatically speaking, this is a wonderful achievement by a top-rate countertenor and I'm getting more of his work.

Loss of time.......2001-11-20

I almost laughed with the Villa-Lobos cantilena. The same with En Sourdine. This sort of music was meant to be sung by someone who sounds like a human being. If he wants to get into non-baroque repertoire, he should get some composer to write it for him.

I don't know what some of you are talking about!.......2000-01-30

I don't know what some of you are talking about! This is one of the best countertenors in the world and you make him sound like Charlotte Church (yes, that is a "CC" insult). His tone is very full and indicative of how good countertenors should sound. He has performed at the Met and won many prestigious awards. People need to get off their overly macho high-horses and realize that some men sing in the alto/mezzo range. Stop critisizing because he is a countertenor and listen to the voice! Also, stop complimenting JUST because he is a countertenor. Compliment because he is good. I never have said "Bartoli is really good to be a mezzo". The same should go here. I must say that this CD is beautifully done. A great chance to hear some rep that you don't hear every day. I highly recomend this CD. [stepping off soapbox]

Opera News Recital Album of the Year!...I agree.......1999-12-21

Vocalise was just named the recital album of the year by Opera News and I couldn't agree with them more. This is a very well-deserved recognition for an excellent album by an exceptional vocal talent.