To many, Villa-Lobos' masterwork is the Choros no. 10, written in 1926. This piece has been recorded a few times - most notably with Michael Tilson Thomas and the New World Symphony on the RCA CD "Alma Brasileira", and the classic performance conducted by the composer from the 6-CD set "Villa-Lobos par lui-meme".
For a recent performance of the Choros no. 10 that MTT performed with the San Francisco Symphony, Michael Steinberg has written one of the most in-depth and searching program notes I've ever read. This "note" includes impressive scholarship and points to all sorts of interesting further research. Better yet, it's fun to read. Here's a sample:
"The music of Chôros No. 10, a tidal wave of energy, engulfs us more and more until, as old Goethe said when young Mendelssohn played him the Beethoven Fifth on the piano, one thinks the house will fall down."
I'm looking forward to reading more of Steinberg's program notes on the excellent sfsymphony.org website.
Showing posts with label MTT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MTT. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 27, 2002
Tuesday, October 16, 2001
Concerts
There are some interesting concerts coming up this season. Here are some highlights:
Michael Tilson Thomas won a lot of new friends for Villa-Lobos with his Alma Brasileira CD (on Sony, with the New World Symphony and soprano Renée Fleming). It's great to see him programming Villa-Lobos in his San Francisco Symphony series. The concert is called MTT Conducts Pan-American Mavericks, and it includes one of VL's greatest works, the Choros number 10. The concerts are on December 12-15, 2001.
Another great work in the Choros series is number 11, less well known than number 10. It's featured in five concerts by the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus in four Florida cities, from November 13-19, 2001. Thanks to Catherine Perron from the Florida Philharmonic Chorus for the heads-up on this. Go to the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra website for all the details.
For complete information on VL concerts around the world, go to the Villa-Lobos Concerts page. Don't forget to let me know about any upcoming concerts featuring the music of Villa-Lobos.
Michael Tilson Thomas won a lot of new friends for Villa-Lobos with his Alma Brasileira CD (on Sony, with the New World Symphony and soprano Renée Fleming). It's great to see him programming Villa-Lobos in his San Francisco Symphony series. The concert is called MTT Conducts Pan-American Mavericks, and it includes one of VL's greatest works, the Choros number 10. The concerts are on December 12-15, 2001.
Another great work in the Choros series is number 11, less well known than number 10. It's featured in five concerts by the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus in four Florida cities, from November 13-19, 2001. Thanks to Catherine Perron from the Florida Philharmonic Chorus for the heads-up on this. Go to the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra website for all the details.
For complete information on VL concerts around the world, go to the Villa-Lobos Concerts page. Don't forget to let me know about any upcoming concerts featuring the music of Villa-Lobos.
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