Villa-Lobos was born in 1887 and as a teenager began playing "choro" mainly in Rio de Janeiro. In his youth he played guitar and cello. Until his death, in 1959, he composed a number of songs in various styles, from sacred music to symphonies.
For guitar, the work of Villa-Lobos is a mandatory part of the repertory of any classical guitarist. The work is composed of "Choros", 5 Preludes and 12 Studies. The preludes and studies were composed in Paris, especially to be played by Andres Segovia, in the 20s. His work is a landmark of the aesthetics of the 20th century for classical music composed for the guitar.
Villa-Lobos was a lover of the guitar, had an irreverent personality and liked to invent tales about his life. For example, he used to say that he survived an attack by cannibals.
One of the biggest controversies of his guitar work is the possible existence of a sixth prelude, said to have been confirmed by Segovia. As some unpublished manuscripts have been found recently, we can only hope to find the sixth prelude.
In these videos, Andres Segovia, Julian Bream, David Russell and Ana Vidovic play four Villa-Lobos pieces in a great performance.
Among Brazilians, two standout interpreters of the work of Villa-Lobos are guitarists Turibio Santos and Fabio Zanon.
For guitar, the work of Villa-Lobos is a mandatory part of the repertory of any classical guitarist. The work is composed of "Choros", 5 Preludes and 12 Studies. The preludes and studies were composed in Paris, especially to be played by Andres Segovia, in the 20s. His work is a landmark of the aesthetics of the 20th century for classical music composed for the guitar.
Villa-Lobos was a lover of the guitar, had an irreverent personality and liked to invent tales about his life. For example, he used to say that he survived an attack by cannibals.
One of the biggest controversies of his guitar work is the possible existence of a sixth prelude, said to have been confirmed by Segovia. As some unpublished manuscripts have been found recently, we can only hope to find the sixth prelude.
In these videos, Andres Segovia, Julian Bream, David Russell and Ana Vidovic play four Villa-Lobos pieces in a great performance.
Among Brazilians, two standout interpreters of the work of Villa-Lobos are guitarists Turibio Santos and Fabio Zanon.
Turibio Santos - Villa Violão (Heitor Villa-Lobos Obra Completa para Violão Solo). Download CD here. Liked the CD? Leave good reviews and buy it here.
Fabio Zanon - The Complete Solo Guitar Music (Heitor Villa-Lobos). Download CD part 1 and part 2. Liked the CD? Leave good reviews and buy it here.
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I love the small amount of Villa-Lobos's music that I have heard - I will listen to these pieces, and explore frutehr. Thanks for your suggestion!
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