Search - Villa-Lobos, Arizcuren, Bartholomee :: Choros Xii for Orchestra

An exciting multi-layered and multi-cultural experience

A. Berenschot | 06/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I already knew some Bachianas Brasileiras when I bought in 1985 the vinyl-version of this Choros no.12. To me this music was a complete revelation, so much more exciting than those Bachianas pieces. So one can say Choros no.12 made me a real Villa-Lobos addict and it drove me into the search of more music beyond the Bachianas. Villa-Lobos lovers got a terrific time in the eighties and especially in the ninetees, since a lot of first recordings of orchestral Choros, symphonies, symphonic poems, ballets and film scores came on the market the last two decades. Choros no.12 was the first in this long row. It is unbelievable this is the only recording ever made of Choros no.12. But happily it is a very good recording by this Belgian orchestra with much clarity and space. The turbulent first two minutes in 7/8 metre of Choros no.12 with exciting orchestration, harmonies and doublings of tempos are to me greatest measures Villa-Lobos ever wrote (and I've heard a lot!). He knows better than any other composer how to start a piece of music (sometimes he doesn't know how to end it). The rest of this kaleidoscopic exuberant Choros (the longest after the great no. 11) is an exciting multilayered and multicultural experience of Brazilian rhythms and nostalgic melodies, bound together by several motives from the opening. The piece has a more urban character than any of the other Choros. It is like merging into street festivals in Rio where you hear constantly different music. Charles Ives comes into mind sometimes! On some moments the music turns to the elements of nature in the realm of Rio, like the sea. Here one hears some influence of Debussy's La Mer, on other moments Strawinsky's Petrushka isn't far away. There is wonderful saxophone playing in some quiet moments and there is a breathtaking dramatic climax with a beautiful soaring melody, a sort of hymn set on a driving Brazilian rhythm. This section transcends the music more to a kind of ode on life and the beauty and vastness of the Brazilian country. Although this music is certainly more complex than the Bachianas, it has a direct impact on the listener. For those who are interested in details: this is the second release on cd of the same recording. The vinyl-record on the Ricercare-label only contained Choros no.12. With the first release on cd the short chamber Choros no. 2, 4, 5 and 7 were added. The second release on cd, now on the Cypress-label, Choros no. 12 is combined with Choros no. 7 and Bachianas Brasileiras no. 1."

Villa Lobos is a genius

Luiz C. Teixeira | 11/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For me Villa Lobos is a musical genius! Each new CD we discover new things, new rhythms that only could be created by his genius!I recommend this CD. It is pure joy!"