Rossella Perrone - Heitor Villa-Lobos: Lua nova - A Preyer for Amazonas for Saxello, Zi Flûte and Guitar (Transcriptions) (2019

The unusual blend of zi flute, bagpipes, saxello and the sound of classical guitar distinguishes the unique richness of this duo, together with the choice of the masterpieces of one of the most interesting artists of the XXth century: Heitor Villa-Lobos. Some of the chosen pieces (such as the Preludes and the Suite Populaire Bresilienne dances) composed for guitar by Villa-Lobos by grasping and skilfully using its distinctive traits and its grammar, have been rearranged for this unusual duo. In these new arrangements the woodwind instrument fathers the melodies in constant dialogue with the guitar and generates improvisational moments with ethnic echoes. By merging his homeland floklore with indigenous music and European classical music elements, where Bach stands as the absolute reference, Villa-Lobos’ music is the ideal balance among a melancholic lyricism, a creative mix of popular elements and a visceral modernism. The Choro (“the essence of the brazilian musical soul”, as Villa-Lobos defined it) becomes the backbone of the Suite Populaire Bresilienne, where the typical language of carioca music builds on the European dance rhythms. The Brazilian songs Xangò and Estrella e Lua Nova, composed for orchestra and voice and resulting from Villa-Lobos’ researches on the ethnomusical aspects of the Brazilian culture in several travels through the north-est lands and the Amazon, show Villa-Lobos’ ability to reinvent folklore. He deals with these themes with an extremely original and advanced touch and evokes them with the unique richness of the saxello, zi flute or the bagpipes. His melodies are based on a harsh style, with reminiscence of the Old Continent composition rules together with an essential, very evocative and often percussive accompaniment that revives the Indios roots. In these unfortunate times, in which deforestation in Brazil is endangering one of the most important natural resources on our Planet, this project wants to be a musical tribute to the Indios people and the Amazon facing a great risk of extinction. The inspiration for the artwork created by the artist Carla Zaffaroni comes from the rainforest bamboo as a metaphore of life and hope because of its vitality, its strenght and its grow speed. Therefore, bamboo becomes the symbol of spiritual elevation resulting from the constant dialogue between creativity and the environmental and civic issues of our times.

Tracklist:

01. Suite populaire brésilienne, W020: I. Mazurka-Choro (Transcription for Saxello and Guitar)
02. Prelúdios, W419: No. 1 in E Minor, Andantino expressivo (Transcription for Saxello and Guitar)
03. Suite populaire brésilienne, W020: IV. Gavotta-Choro (Transcription for Zi Flûte and Guitar)
04. Suite populaire brésilienne, W020: II. Scottish-Choro (Transcription for Zi Flûte and Guitar)
05. Prelúdios, W419: No. 5 in D Major (Transcription for Zi Flûte, Saxello and Guitar)
06. Canções Típicas Brasileiras, W158: No. 4 in G Minor, Xangô, Canto Fetiche de Makumba. Animado (Transcription for Zampogna and Guitar)
07. Suite populaire brésilienne, W020: III. Valza-Choro (Transcription for Zi Flûte and Guitar)
08. Bachianas brasileiras No. 1, W391: II. Prelude - Modinha (Transcription for Zi Flûte and Guitar)
09. Prelúdios, W419: No. 3 in A Minor (Transcription for Saxello and Guitar)
10. Prelúdios, W419: No. 4 in E Minor (Transcription for Saxello and Guitar)
11. Canções Típicas Brasileiras, W158: No. 5, Estrella é lua nóva, Canto fetiche de Makumba (Transcription for Zampogna and Guitar)
12. Bachianas Brazileiras No. 5, W391: I. Aria (Transcription for Saxello and Guitar)