Villa-Lobos: The Complete String Quartets
- Artist: Cuarteto LatinoAmericano
- Total time: 389:09
- Label: Dorian
- SPAR: DDD
- Availability: In stock
- Item #: 21864808
Available in U.S. only.
- List Price: $39.99
- Member Price: $35.99
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Review
Easily one of the most consistently prolific Latin American composers, Heitor Villa-Lobos wrote for an extensive variety of instrumental combinations from symphonies to operas. While he is today most often remembered for his set of Baroque-inspired Bachianas Brasileiras, his contribution to the more "traditional" chamber music forms was just as important. Curiously and disappointingly absent from the standard concert repertoire, Villa-Lobos wrote a total of 17 string quartets and was working on an eighteenth at the time of his death in 1959. Their composition spans more than four decades and are filled with the composer's skillful experiments with tonality, polyrhythm, color, sonority, texture, and, of course, his much beloved and ubiquitous Brazilian folk idiom. None of the quartets appear as mere compositional exercises but rather as displays of Villa-Lobos's ability to synthesize his wide-reaching influences. This Dorian reissue of the complete string quartets, which originally garnered two Grammy nominations, features the fiery and energetic Cuarteto Latinoamericano. As rhythm and a "folksy" feeling play such a dominant role in these scores, Cuarteto Latinoamericano is an ideally suited ensemble. While the intonation is not flawless, rhythmic intensity and crispness of articulation are more than enough to grip the attention of listeners. Balance within the quartet is quite nice and the sound quality features both a present, punchy bass and a strong, crisp offering from the upper strings. This box set also includes a DVD interview with Cuarteto Latinoamericano, as well as a set of detailed, informative liner notes. Listeners not familiar with these quartets or these recordings of them are encouraged to give this collection a try. ~ Mike Brownell, All Music GuideTracks + Soundclips
| Villa-Lobos: The Complete String Quartets |
Performances
String Quartet No. 3, Quarteto das pipocas (Popcorn Quartet), A. 112 - Alegro non troppo
by Villa-Lobos, Heitor
String Quartet No. 3, Quarteto das pipocas (Popcorn Quartet), A. 112 - Molto vivo
by Villa-Lobos, Heitor
String Quartet No. 3, Quarteto das pipocas (Popcorn Quartet), A. 112 - Molto adagio
by Villa-Lobos, Heitor
String Quartet No. 3, Quarteto das pipocas (Popcorn Quartet), A. 112 - Allegro con fuoco
by Villa-Lobos, Heitor
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