Villa-lobos: Works For Harmonica

SCHWARZ NEW YORK CHAMBER SYMPHONY BONFIGLIO EMELIANOFF, ROBERT BONFIGLIO

Heitor Villa-Lobos was one of a number of eminent composers attracted to writing for the harmonica and his Concerto explores the instrument’s abilities perfectly. The first movement is highly melodic while the harmonica’s singing qualities are to be found in the plaintively haunting lyricism of the slow movement. The finale embodies festive romance and great virtuosity, capping one of the most exciting works in the repertoire. The sequence of arrangements and orchestrations of some of Villa-Lobos’s most beautiful, moving, and famous melodies include the masterpiece Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5. This is a reissue of a 1989 RCA release, including arrangements and orchestrations by soloist Robert Bonfiglio. Of the original release, Gramophone wrote: “Villa-Lobos seemed to have a bottomless well of simple, predominantly diatonic yet affecting tunes, to which his harmonic eclecticism lent an exotic air; there is not one on this recording which is not capable of staying in the memory. Bonfiglio is a most accomplished soloist in every respect…”

Price: $12.99