Search - Heitor Villa-Lobos, New World Symphony, Michael Tilson Thomas :: Alma Brasileira ~ Music of Villa-Lobos / Fleming, Tilson Thomas, New World Symphony

Alma Brasileira ~ Music of Villa-Lobos / Fleming, Tilson Thomas, New World Symphony
Heitor Villa-Lobos, New World Symphony, Michael Tilson Thomas
Alma Brasileira ~ Music of Villa-Lobos / Fleming, Tilson Thomas, New World Symphony
Genres: Pop, Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (13) - Disc #1

This is a really fine record, particularly as it does not include the ubiquitous Bachiana Brasileira No. 2, which will be the only exposure that many people have to these extraordinary "fusion" pieces in which the compos...  more »

     
   
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This is a really fine record, particularly as it does not include the ubiquitous Bachiana Brasileira No. 2, which will be the only exposure that many people have to these extraordinary "fusion" pieces in which the composer marries forms of Brazilian folk music with those of the J.S. Bach. Of course, No. 5 is even more famous than No. 2, but it's a vocal work in two movements scored for soprano and eight cellos. The first movement is well known, but the second--a zippy little dance--is often omitted, making hash of the composer's intentions. All of this music is well worth knowing, especially in performances as vital and characterful as these. Super. --David Hurwitz

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CD Reviews

Orchestrals sonorous, but...Renee not well-suited
10/01/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)

"The orchestral selections are rich, spacious, and sonorous...they hold the attention consistently and happily. The CD is well worth its price for those alone. But, Renee Fleming is not suited for the music in her Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5. The top-most notes get thin and screechy...and the humming section is pinched, pale, and puny -- not pleasant. I am a Renee Fleming admirer of the very first order....but, my "love" is not unconditional, and in this case...if asked, I would have advised her to avoid it."
Cool music's hopes not met..
J. Anderson | Monterey, CA USA | 11/26/2002
(3 out of 5 stars)

"Hard to put a finger on it. LOVE the music - Villa-Lobos is ALWAYS exciting (even his Quartets are wild and fresh), and the Bachianas Basilieras is a magical score. Tilson Thomas attends to the colors, but there's something lackluster about the whole performance. Something missing in the conducting. I find myself NOT in a repeat play mode with this recording! Fleming parades an overstuffed voice in the doleful #5, why is she lately so unnecessary??? Gosh, I'd so like to like her art, but it seems she's lost and passing through some weird phase vocally. Hope it doesnt last. The performances on this recording have too much pretense around them, & it's a real negative. These folks are young and gifted, maybe I'm a crank... but there's no reason not to always make music with integrity, is there? On Joan Baez' first or second album she recorded the No.5.. I'd really like to hear that recording again."
Bacchianas Brasileiras at their best
P. Alvarez | Killeen, Texas United States | 06/19/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I really see no problem with this recording, I bought it several years ago, and I think is wonderfully performed

music. Tilson Thomas does a great job with the New World

Symphony Orchestra and soprano Renee Fleming. My favorites are the Bacchianas Brasileiras #5 "ALMA BRASILEIRA" and #7 with its fuga that sounds so much like Bach...."