Customer Reviews

Villa-Lobos: Forest of the Amazon

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ivorx's review of my recording as well as his/her comments about Villa-Lobos are steeped in inaccuracies.

1. It was not a session orchestra that Villa-lobos conducted, but the Symphony of the Air (NBC Symphony Orchestra).

2. My recording was not just a little longer, but 27 minutes longer (circa 74 minutes total) and included the entire composition. It represented a critical edition.

3. Sadly the Villa-Lobos recording of circa 47 minutes was made when he was ill, done in one day and they kept him there until 2:00AM the next morning as reported to me by pianist Felicja Blumental.

4. Villa-Lobos was my friend and mentor. I watched him orchestrate, "Forest of the Amazon" in December 1958 and I coached Bidú Sayao for his recording.

It irks me to see the uninformed write such a pontifical review as well as an inaccurate one to match his/her arrogance. After a very long time, I finally became irritated enough to say something. Apologies to all for not having done this sooner

I am not saying to buy my recording, but the Ivorx review is absurd. It is based on nothing at all and misinforms the reader. This person owes apologies to the memory of Villa-Lobos and the memories of the excellent musicians who played for his album as well as one to Amazon.com.

"Forest of the Amazon" dating from 1959 was one of Heitor Villa-Lobos' (1887-1959) last works. Much of the music was derived from the composer's film score to "Green Mansions" starring Audrey Hepburn and Anthony Perkins. However, the final score was provided by a different composer, who quoted Villa-Lobos here and there, but provided his own music elsewhere. According to the conductor, Alfred Heller, Villa-Lobos was very angry about this and, in response, developed "Forest of the Amazon" from his film score.

"Forest of the Amazon" is, more or less, a 74-minute symphonic poem. The work is divided into 20 sections here, however each section flows into another without a break. Despite the length, this work holds the listener's attention throughout. Villa-Lobos was a brilliant orchestrator and knew how to write a great melody. I was immediately lured into this work by the powerful and evocative overture (Track 1). Other exciting sections include "On the way to the Hunt" (Track 9) and "Head Hunters" (Track 16). The imaginative use of male voices and percussion definitely give "Forest of the Amazon" an exotic flavor. Of course the singing by Renée Fleming is lovely, and Villa-Lobos' melodies for the soprano solo are beautiful and memorable. As an example, listen to "Love Song" (Track 17) or "Sentimental Melody" (Track 18). Amazingly, the symphonic poem is a cohesive work; with early themes reappearing later in the work. Yet the piece is incredibly varied, in which the listener takes an Amazonian journey though Villa-Lobos' unique sound world, which incorporates ethnic, popular and classical elements.

I have two (very slight) reservations about this release. First, the present release represents a remastering of a 1994/1995 recording. Although, the sound quality of the remastering is quite good, it may not be up to the excellent standards of CPO's recordings of the Villa-Lobos symphonies. Second, there is an electronic instrument that accompanies the soprano in certain places (Track 4 and Track 6 for instance). I am not familiar with this instrument, but it is one of which I am not particularly fond. However, its presence is not extensive.

Overall, I should mention that the playing by the Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra, led by the enthusiastic Alfred Heller, is quite good. In fact, we owe many thanks to Alfred Heller, whose research and dedication made this recording possible.

So in conclusion, this release is wholly recommendable to both fans of Villa-Lobos and those who may be new to this master. In "Forest of the Amazon" Villa-Lobos fully explores the evocative potential of the modern orchestra. This is a major statement by a major composer.

Highly recommended.

74:05

I have listened to this album FIVE times since it arrived today. This is simply gorgeous stuff. Villa-Lobos is well represented here, from the Choros - like primitivism of the Overture to the rich lyricism of the "Sentimental Melody" which brings to mind the composer's famous Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5. If you are thinking of dipping your toe in the immense ocean of Villa-Lobos's works, this album is a splendid introduction. If you are already an enthusiast, this work (and this performance of it -- Renee Fleming is at her best here) will delight you. The orchestra IS a rain forest in this composer's hands, and it is full of mysterious delights and terrifying beauty at every turn.

Previous reviews have noted the sound qualities of the earlier recording, conducted by the composer, released on EMI as "Inspiration Brazil" #7243 5 65880 2 8. That early recording (1958) has been enhanced in ways that are sonically interesting, but really a bit artificial -- for example, in places you can hear a single contra-bassoon "buzzing" over the entire ensemble. This is fascinating but not realistic sound. Dr. Heller's recording, on the other hand, is "real" and lively and vibrant. The playing is excellent, and the additional material, omitted from the 1958 recording, contributes to the whole. After all, it is more of the master's musical inventions, which I, for one, was delighted to hear. On first hearing, we find the unexpected progression a bit surprising -- not what we expected to hear -- but after a few sessions, we delight in the additional music.

Dr. Heller was a student of Villa Lobos, and in many ways, the present recording represents his homage to the master. Little is altered, more is added, and we are the richer for this wonderful new rendition of a little-heard masterpiece. See Dr. Heller's own review below.

I am reluctant to criticize such a great talent as Renee Fleming, but I actually prefer the singing of the wonderful Brazilian soprano Bidu Sayao on the 1958 recording. It is said that she came out of retirement in Maine (USA) to join Villa Lobos in New York to make the recording (there's a Wikipedia article about her). It's also worth noting that of the zillions of recordings of the 5th Bachianas Brasilieras (for soprano and 8 'cellos), hers is possibly the very best -- light, lyrical, sinuous, with the mystical sound that perfectly suits that haunting theme that blends the discpline of Bach with the "wildness" of the Brazilian frontier.

Bottom line -- if you like the nationalistic series of Villa Lobos' compositions, you should have this CD. Hats off to Dr. Heller for producing it.

... this unabridged version is ... is more than 25 minutes longer than the 1958 recording by the composer himself. The total time is about 74 minutes
It is superb epic music, of the many compositions Villa-Lobos wrote one of his best! The only thing I don't like are some short wordless vocalises to imitate birds.But the real songs (sung by Renee Fleming or the choir) which appear like intermezzos on certain places in the driving orchestral music are beautiful. The recording was released before in 1996 on another label (Consonance).

I've had this recording of Dr. Heller's for about two weeks now and have listened through a dozen times.

I should say I'm a guitarist and have played all of the solo guitar music of Villa-Lobos, but I'd been unaware of FOREST OF THE AMAZON until my attention was drawn to it by way of the related score for the 1959 film GREEN MANSIONS (music by Bronislau Kaper and Villa-Lobos). That score is a gorgeous work and I'm very fond of it, but, before making this purchase, I'd always been puzzled by it, because, although it's been easy to identify certain passages as Kaper's own, I'd found it difficult to be sure of just what had been Villa-Lobos's contribution.

Upon first hearing FOREST OF THE AMAZON, I immediately recognized parts of tracks 2, 3, 9, 10, 14 and 19 as having been used in the film score. The rest, other than the "Sentimental Melody", seemed unfamiliar... but I was wowed. It was obvious that even if most of this music wasn't used in the film, it was nevertheless the source of nearly all of Kaper's inspiration.

How to describe this work? It's a narrative in music. The story of Rima the bird-girl afforded the composer an opportunity to indulge many different creative selves. In these twenty short, distinct episodes there are melodies as simple and lovely as any of his I've heard as well as passages of tempestuous excitement or angular metric irregularity. We have Villa-Lobos the primitivist, the descriptivist, the folklorist, the romanticist and the Stravinskyan modernist.

The Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra turns in a beautiful performance under the direction of Dr. Heller and I'm so glad that it's the complete work. Renee Fleming's clear and alluring voice is fabulous, too. This is a great recording and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

The insert booklet provides Dr. Heller's comments about the music and the GREEN MANSIONS story as well as lyrics to the songs and info on the artists.

PS. Classical guitarist Graham Anthony Devine has recorded Carlos Barbosa-Lima's transcription of "Sentimental Melody" for his NAXOS disc, GUITAR MUSIC FROM BRAZIL. It's a good performance of a complex arrangement.

The quality of the recording is outstanding...... super clean... not a smudge of extraneous noise anywhere. The musicianship is impeccable from the composer on up. Renee Fleming is simply masterful, giving chills throughout. Her last pitch in the recording electrifies and thrills right down to the bone marrow.

The wandering and diverse work thankfully exhibits enough dissonance to impart a contrasting spice, though the composer keep returning to `lush'.

This is NOT, thank god, 74 minutes of melodic candy, but serious music. It is complex enough to retain interest and pleasure through repeated hearings. There is more to this composition than first meets the ears. On the other hand, the music is quite easily accessible.

Lights the soul up like a candle........ CHILLS!!

Wow!

First, don't hesitate, go up above here and listen to the sound clips from this absolutely marvelous recording!

Renee Fleming, in all her radiant lush tones, will surely sweep you off to this place of wonderment, originally written for the film "Green Mansions" with Audry Hepburn and Anthony Perkins, which was a flop, and among other things "bad" the composer's score was "messed with" by MGM.....but lucky for us Villa-Lobos added some material and created "Forest of the Amazon"...

The liner notes in the booklet for this recording go into detail about all of this, so I will not extend this review unnecessarily. Alfred Heller was a personal friend of Villa-Lobos and this set would surely have to be considered Maestro Hiller's "homage" to his dear friend...

Another interesting and loving detail about this album is the fact that it is "dedicated to the memory of Arleen Auger".....I SO loved this great singer, and was touched by this nod to her from Delos, and perhaps, others involved with this lovely recording.

As usual, Delos, with their marvelous recording system(s), will give you cause to consider this a "reference" recording...it's that good!

One of the finest recordings that I have purchased for a very long time...I cannot seem to stop playing this beautiful album. At the prices listed here, it is very inexpensive, so I urge you to grab a copy before they "are gone"....your ears and heart will forever thank you that you did!

~operabruin

I was always amazed at the almost too-hi-fi quality of Villa-Lobos' 1958 recording with the Symphony of the Air (a session orchestra one might assume) with the gorgeously-voiced Bidu Sayao. I was also delighted at Villa-Lobos' own interpretation as he did not always do his own works justice. This one came off with fire and passion and yet in its most delicate moments we have some of the composer's most ravishing, gentle music. This indeed is beautiful music.

This version by Renee Fleming purports to be complete. It is certainly a few minutes longer than Villa-Lobos'. It's a very fine recording but it doesn't quite have the fire, the BITE, of the older version which was reissued on CD (in England at least) as "Inspiration Brazil" #7243 5 65880 2 8. Nonetheless it is a perfectly engaging, valid reading of the work and the recording is very well balanced.

Enthusiasts are likely to find themselves acquiring both recordings, the older one being one of Villa-Lobos' finest interpretations and very hi-fi on the CD reissue, a historic document well worth having.

Last I heard from Simphony of the Air Villa-Lobos' Forest of the Amazon's recording was subdue and devoid of gusto. Gustissimo, I should say it now is. With it the last chances that we may survive as a race: the music is delirious as burning rain forests is. Is it good? Burning forests ain't at all. As for the new interpretation the answer is positive. It seems quite complete and providing all deliberate directions for getting in and out of it. You old 33 1/2 rpm disc lovers will like this new performance. Try to get it! GF