Heitor Villa-Lobos: Brazilian-Born Master Composer Whose Music Knows No Boundaries
by Barry Lenson
Have you noticed that many members of the classical music world are prejudiced against the music of Spain and Latin America?
When that music comes under discussion, they say, “Well I like it, but it all sounds pretty much the same.” Or even worse, “Some of it is pretty good, but it will never be on the level of more mainstream composers like Bach, Beethoven or Brahms.”
When I hear people make a comment like that, I have a secret weapon . . .
Heitor Villa-Lobos
When I play even a small selection of his compositions for narrow-minded people, they are forced to set aside their opinions and admit that Villa-Lobos is a world composer whose music doesn’t take second place behind the creations of any other composer they can name.
About Heitor Villa-Lobos
Heitor Villa-Lobos (March 5, 1887 – November 17, 1959) was a Brazilian composer, conductor, cellist, and classical guitarist, widely regarded as one of the most significant creative figures in 20th-century music.
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Villa-Lobos was exposed to music from an early age, thanks to his father, an amateur musician. Heitor learned to play the cello, clarinet, and guitar, and his early musical experiences were deeply influenced by Brazilian folk music and the European classical tradition.
As Bela Bartok did in Hungary, Heitor Villa-Lobos traveled extensively through his native country, studying folk and musical traditions. Those studies explain the distinctly Brazilian/Latin flavor of many of his compositions. Yet Villa-Lobos was more than a gatherer of folk tunes. He was also a master of European-style orchestration. A listen to his chamber works shows that he had studied and absorbed the great chamber works of Brahms and Debussy. And his vocal music, though grounded in both older western traditions and Brazilian folk music, takes flight and soars into new realms.
Selected Compositions by Heitor Villa-Lobos on Classical Archives*
We are pleased that these masterpieces by Villa-Lobos – and many more – are available for listening on Classical Archives.
Magdelena, a musical adventure
Bachianas Brasileiras No.5, for voice and eight cellos
Poème de l’enfant et de sa mère, for voice, flute, clarinet, and cello
Genesis (symphonic poem and ballet)
There are many more compositions by Villa-Lobos on Classical Archives. Start your explorations on his Classical Archives composer’s page.
* Please note that to listen, you must be a member of Classical Archives. If you have not yet done so, we invite you to join today. Free 14-day trial memberships are available.
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