March is the birth month of Heitor Villa-Lobos, and to celebrate the 130th anniversary of his birth, the Brazilian Music Foundation (BMF) will gather local musicians who will present some of Villa-Lobos’ timeless works, such as Choro No. 1, 5 Preludes, String Quartet No. 5, Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 with soprano Angelica De La Riva and guitar quartet, Melodia Sentimental, Canção de Amor, Alma Brasileira (Choro No. 5) with pianist Max Barros, and other beautiful pieces by the composer, under the direction of Rafael Piccolotto. The concert is supported by Sônia Rubinsky, winner of the Latin Grammy in 2009 for “Best Classical Record of the Year” for her recording of Villa-Lobos’ piano works.
Considered during his lifetime the greatest composer of the Americas, Heitor Villa-Lobos composed around 2,000 works, and his importance lies, among other things, in having reshaped the Brazilian concept of musical nationalism and becoming its greatest enthusiast. It was also through Villa-Lobos that Brazilian music began to be represented in other countries and became universal. A self-taught musician who constantly drew inspiration from the works of J.S. Bach, Villa-Lobos occupies a position in the context of Brazilian music similar to that of Bach in Western music: a source of inspiration and reference for several generations of composers.
The BMF aims to present a series of chamber concerts featuring works by Villa-Lobos, as well as Carlos Gomes and other great Brazilian classical composers.
The concert will take place at Baruch College Theater, Engelman Recital Hall, at 7:00 PM on March 5, located at 55 Lexington Ave. (entrance on 25th Street between 3rd & Lexington Ave.) in Manhattan.
Tickets are available on the BMF website: www.bmf-usa.org. Prices range from $25 to $55. For more information, email: info@bmf-usa.org