Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras Nos. 2, 4 & 8
Villa-Lobos's Bachiana Brasileira No. 2 remains his most popular orchestral composition, despite an oeuvre that numbers more than 1,000 pieces! It's a charming work, no doubt about it, particularly the little choo-choo train finale. The others in the set, however, are equally worth hearing; there is, in fact, some very substantial and sophisticated music in this series of nine compositions, three of which are included on this disc. If you like No. 2, you'll have no problem at all with the rest. They are, one and all, full of exotic textures, gorgeous Brazilian melodies, and the rhythms of folk dances. Both performance and sound meet the highest standards.--David Hurwitz