Beethoven and more podcast #28: Bach meets Brazil | Beethovenfest | DW | 21.10.2010
  1. Inhalt
  2. Navigation
  3. Weitere Inhalte
  4. Metanavigation
  5. Suche
  6. Choose from 30 Languages


Beethoven and more podcast #28: Bach meets Brazil

This piece by Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos melds the influences of his home country's music with those of Bach and the classical canon.

Heitor Villa-Lobos, noted Brazilian composer and conductor (AP Photo/Jack Harris)

Brazilian composer and conductor Heitor Villa-Lobos

Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959)

Bachianas Brasileiras No. 4

Sinfonica Heliopolis

Conductor: Peter Guelke


"The polyphony here is an expression of Brazilian culture and lust for life," said conductor Peter Guelke of the "Bachianas Brasileiras." In these pieces, the Brazilian composer melds the folklore of his homeland with the world of the Baroque. Johann Sebastian Bach's instrumental suites may have served as a model.

The result is a sort of South American-German world music, seemingly custom-made for the energetic young musicians of the Sinfonica Heliopolis, whose rhythmic drive is compelling and sheer joy in playing unlimited.

Author: Greg Wiser
Editor: Rick Fulker

Audios and videos on the topic