Heitor Villa-Lobos

Bachianas brasileires No.5

          Brazil is a large and diverse country, with a veritable kaleidoscope of cultures and artistic styles.  While many composers have sought to blend elements of their native lands into the techniques and traditions of European art music, few achieved the unique integration of Villa-Lobos’ personal style.   Villa-Lobos from an early age was immersed, not only in the folk music of Brazil, but also in the popular music of its urban environment.   While he was largely self-educated as a composer, his father played an important rôle in his early musical education.  Young Heitor learned to play the clarinet, later his favorite instrument, the cello, and (secretly from his father’s knowledge) the ever-popular guitar--the bane of Brazilian proper society.  Villa-Lobos is not only the most