Composer of the Month 11/2009: Heitor Villa-Lobos   (selected by Peter van Dessel / Belgium)

Brasil 5.3.1987 Heitor Villa-Lobos was born in Rio de Janeiro on March 5th, 1887. He is the most popular and internationally best known composer of classical music of Brazil. At the age of six years he received cello lessons. During journeys with his family he early came in contact with Brazilian folklore. First public performances of his compositions took place in 1915. Arthur Rubinstein and Darius Milhaud are his most well-known supporters. On journeys to Paris Villa-Lobos gained new impressions and was the first Latin American composeralso who achieved international fame. After the return to Brazil he worked on plans for the government for musical school lessons. In Brasil Villa-Lobos is also regarded as an important music teacher who influenced the musical education of his country. Villa-Lobos wrote more than 1.000 compositions in all traditional forms. His works for guitar belong to the standard repertoire for soloists of this instrument. His 14 Choros and the 9 "Bachianas Brasileiras" inspired by a Brazilian folklore are the best works. Heitor Villa-Lobos died in Rio de Janeiro on November 17th, 1959. His death anniversary comes up again for the 50th time in November 2009. The video shows the "Bachianas Brasileiras no. 5" of Heitor villa Lobos you with Amal Brahim Djelloul (soprano), Gautier Capuçon (cello) and the Orchestre Du Violin Sur Le Sable. More composers in the members only section