Bach in Brazil

Suspend your preconceptions about how Bach should sound, and prepare to listen afresh through Brazilian ears

Record and Artist Details

Composer or Director: Johann Sebastian Bach, Pixinguinha, Radames Gnattali, Abel Ferreira, Heitor Villa-Lobos

Label: EMI

Media Format: CD or Download

Media Runtime: 49

Mastering:

DDD

Catalogue Number: 556939-2

Tracks:

Composition Artist Credit
Concerto in the Italian style, 'Italian Concerto', Movement: (Allegro) Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer
Brazilian Chamber Orchestra
Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer
Remexendo Radames Gnattali, Composer
Brazilian Chamber Orchestra
Radames Gnattali, Composer
(15) 2-Part Inventions, Movement: A minor Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer
Brazilian Chamber Orchestra
Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer
Concerto for 2 Violins and Strings, Movement: Vivace Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer
Brazilian Chamber Orchestra
Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer
Chorando Baixinho Abel Ferreira, Composer
Abel Ferreira, Composer
Brazilian Chamber Orchestra
Partita, Movement: Prelude Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer
Brazilian Chamber Orchestra
Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer
Vou Vivendo Pixinguinha, Composer
Pixinguinha, Composer
Brazilian Chamber Orchestra
Variaçoes sobre o Samba do Urubú Radames Gnattali, Composer
Brazilian Chamber Orchestra
Radames Gnattali, Composer
Bachianas brasileiras No. 5 Heitor Villa-Lobos, Composer
Brazilian Chamber Orchestra
Heitor Villa-Lobos, Composer
(6) Brandenburg Concertos, Movement: No. 6 in B flat, BWV1051 (vas, vcs & db: 1708-10) Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer
Brazilian Chamber Orchestra
Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer
Um a Zero Pixinguinha, Composer
Pixinguinha, Composer
Brazilian Chamber Orchestra
(4) Orchestral Suites, Movement: No. 2 in B minor, BWV1067 (flute & strings) Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer
Brazilian Chamber Orchestra
Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer
(6) Partitas, Movement: No. 4 in D, BWV828 Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer
Brazilian Chamber Orchestra
Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer
(15) 2-Part Inventions, Movement: F Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer
Brazilian Chamber Orchestra
Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer
The universality of Bach’s music has been well established by the wide variety of ‘inauthentic’ treatments it has been subjected to over the years. The great majority, no matter how eccentric they may sound, can at least claim reverence and respect, dulling the cutting edge of hostile criticism; and that is how this recording should be approached.
The insert-note claims a link between baroque music and the Brazilian choro, a popular form whose name derives from that of the itinerant bands that first created and still play such music – but the exact nature of that link is not defined. The best known Bach-Brazil link is the Bachianas brasileiras of Villa-Lobos, but it is clear in only a few of these, and No 5 is in the form of an aria, not a choro. No matter, though, the Brazilian music on this album is most attractive in its own right. Bach’s music is played as it is affectionately heard through Brazilian ears – often underpinned by popular rhythms and very freely treated – with trimmings that Bach would have found strange. How else can one make each of the Two-part Inventions last for more than two minutes? One’s normal criteria must be put on hold and the mind cleared of preconceptions in order to enjoy what is on offer, a tribute that is at once sophisticated and unsophisticated.
The annotation is somewhat woolly but the performances are not. Camerata Brasil deploys an unfamilar assortment of instruments but they are played with enthusiasm and impeccable virtuosity – the deftness of the mandolinists and players of the cavaquinho (a four-stringed instrument of the ukulele family) is impressive. Enjoy it for what it is.'

Discover the world's largest classical music catalogue with Presto Music. 

Stream on Presto Music | Buy from Presto Music

Gramophone Print

  • Print Edition

From £6.67 / month

Subscribe

Gramophone Digital Club

  • Digital Edition
  • Digital Archive
  • Reviews Database
  • Full website access

From £8.75 / month

Subscribe

                              

If you are a library, university or other organisation that would be interested in an institutional subscription to Gramophone please click here for further information.