Villa-Lobos: Complete Symphonies

Villa-Lobos's symphonies well reflect the composer's status as the single most significant creative figure in 20th-century Brazilian art music, from the early works that challenge European traditions through to his twelfth and final symphony that simply bursts with explosive energy. That creative panoply is now available under one cover in this 6-volume edition of all his symphonies. Every aspect of Villa-Lobos's remarkable inspiration is represented, with Brazilian national rhythms and extremes of scale and dramatic content alternating with neo-Classical transparency and lyrical charm. These critically acclaimed performances are based on a newly revised edition made by Editora Criadores do Brasil (the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra's publishing house) in collaboration with the Academia Brasileira de Música. Isaac Karabtchevsky and the São Paolo Philharmonic give definitive interpretations that are both idiomatically and expertly played. You should note that the few alternative recordings of the complete symphonies are 'outshone' (Gramophone) by these São Paulo recordings.