We would like to share some great reviews of the Brazilian Guitar Quartet’s most recent Delos release, “Brazilian Guitar Quartet Plays Villa-Lobos” to share. Here is one from Amazon.com and another from Minor7th.com.
From Amazon.com:
“The Brazilian Guitar Quartet is the perfect match for the complex music of this composer. Their use of two 8 string guitars to augment the standard 6 string models gives them an extended tonal range that helps make their arrangements of even Villa-Lobos’ orchestral music less constricted than the adaptations done by other guitar quartets. Add to this their exquisite taste and flawless technique and it’s small wonder that they’ve become one of the foremost groups of their kind in the world.
“Interesting and challenging music, expertly recorded and performed by world class virtuosos. Highly recommended, 10 out of 10.” – Oscar O. Veterano
Read the full review on Amazon.com
From Minor7th.com:
“The BGQ selected a varied cross section of works, spanning Villa-Lobos’ entire life and the evolution of his compositional style. I was particularly taken with the various “Cirandas” offered throughout the disc. Each Ciranda is a Brazilian folk song that Villa-Lobos arranged for instrumental performance. For me, the appeal was found in the interplay between the traditional folk melodies and the composer’s supporting content, which was always charming and creative, and was often quite unexpected. Arranging music for guitar ensemble is an art in and of itself, and the BGQ’s arrangements are natural and satisfying. The works they selected translate particularly well to four guitars, and honour the spirit of the original versions. Anyone who has been drawn to the works of Villa-Lobos in the past will certainly enjoy this unique offering.” – Timothy Smith
Read the full review on Minor7th.com
Brazilian Guitar Quartet Plays Villa-Lobos
Brazilian Guitar Quartet
DE 3409
Suite Floral: I. Idilio na Rede • II. Uma Camponeza Cantadeira • III. Alegria na Horta
6 Cirandas: A canoa virou (The Canoe Capsized) • A Condessa (The Countess) • Terezinha de Jesus (the Little Teresa of Jesus) • A procura de uma agulha (Searching for a Needle) • Senhora Dona Sancha (Madame Dona Sancha) • Que lindos olhos! (What Beautiful Eyes!)
String Quartet No. 5: I. Pouco Andantino • II. Vivo e energico • III. Andantino • IV. Allegro
Danças Características Africanas No. 1 Farrapos • No. 2 Kankukus • No. 3 Kankikis
String Quartet No. 12: I. Allegro • II. Andante • III. Allegretto • IV. Allegro ben ritmato
All arrangements by Tadeu do Amaral