HEITOR VILLA-LOBOS (1887 - 1959)
Villa-Lobos Museum: click here
Nothing is sufficient to revere the memory of Villa-Lobos. He was not only a great composer, but also a great Brazilian. His works reflect and preserve forever the happy combination of folklore elements and conventional international compositional processes, which dignify his country and his art.” -- Leonard Bernstein
Considered one of the foremost composers to ever emerge from Latin America, Villa-Lobos is an integral part of the musical identity of his native Brazil, a country of varying and rich traditions, of which he immersed himself as a young man by extensive and adventurous travel throughout the country.
After a period in Paris, he returned home in 1930, eventually winning official recognition and extensive popularity, and making a significant and long lasting contribution to Brazilian music education. His varied compositions include stage-works, choral and instrumental compositions, chamber music, songs and piano music. His instrumental works include a series of “Bachianas Brasileiras” and “Chôros”, the latter named after the popular music of Rio de Janeiro in the early 20th century. The Etudes and Preludes written by Villa-Lobos for solo guitar are a familiar part of the repertoire of that instrument. His last work, “Forest of the Amazon” was based on music originally composed for the MGM film Green Mansions, which starred Audrey Hepburn and Anthony Perkins.
Villa-Lobos passed away in November 1959 in Rio de Janeiro.
