Credits:

Cecilia Bartoli

Description:

There have been many recordings of classical masterpieces arranged and sung in the past, but this is noteworthy in that it is a choral arrangement by Villa-Lobos! Villa-Lobos is known for his orchestral works and guitar pieces rooted in Brazilian folk music. He wrote about 1,000 works during his lifetime, including many choral works. This album contains some of the rarest of these, "Villa-Lobos's choral arrangements of Bach and Romantic works. These were written primarily for the Choir of the Orfeao dos Professores (Teachers' Choir) in Rio de Janeiro, and most were premiered between 1933 and 1935. Most of the original pieces are keyboard pieces, but Villa-Lobos arranged them beautifully. Well-known melodies by Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Chopin, and others are transformed into symphonic music for voices. All the pieces are a capella (unaccompanied), and all but two are vocalises without lyrics, so they can be enjoyed purely as music. Also included here are all of the choral arrangements from Bach's "Mean Clavier" which he admired so much. Naxos Japan

Tracklisting:

1.Lieder ohne Worte, Book 2, Op. 30 (Songs without Words) - No. 9 in E major, Op. 30, No. 3, MWV U104
2.Prelude and Fugue No. 8 in E flat minor / D sharp minor, BWV 853~Prelude
3.Prelude and Fugue No. 8 in E flat minor / D sharp minor, BWV 853~Fugue
4.Kinderszenen, Op. 15 (Scenes of Childhood) - No. 7. Traumerei (Dreaming)
5.Prelude & Fugue No. 1 in C major, BWV 846~Fugue
6.Schwanengesang (Swan Song), D. 957 - No. 4. Standchen (Serenade)
7.Prelude & Fugue No. 21 in B flat major, BWV 866~Fugue
8.Waltz No. 7 in C sharp minor, Op. 64, No. 2
9.Prelude & Fugue No. 22 in B flat minor, BWV 867~Prelude
10.Morceaux de fantaisie, Op. 3 - No. 2. Prelude in C sharp minor
11.Prelude & Fugue No. 14 in F sharp minor, BWV 883~Prelude
12.Elegie
13.Prelude & Fugue No. 5 in D major, BWV 874~Fugue
14.Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13 'Pathetique'~II. Adagio cantabile
15.Bachianas Brasileiras No. 9 (version for choir)