Introduction

Heitor Villa-Lobos was a prolific composer and a man of exuberant energy. He transformed the musical life of his native Brazil and put his country on the international musical map with his great music. Since he had no musical education, his music reflects something completely original and true.

Historical Context

Heitor Villa-Lobos was born in 1887. He traveled around Brazil in his early life, gaining valuable insight and influence from which he drew his music. When he returned to Rio de Janiero, he studied the work of great composers. He began to compose, and continued to compose many pieces, while he gained a favorable reputation in the world of music. Finally in 1922, he gained a commission for his music, his Third Symphony.

With this composition, he was finally invited to Paris. There he caused a sensation eith the exotic brilliance and vitality of his Choros. This piece combined the wild flair of Brazilian music within the orchestra and chorus. He stayed in Paris until 1930. He returned to Brazil after this stay in Paris. He returned to a Brazil that restricted his composition. The only comparable composer would be Zoltán Kodály in Hungary. Even though he was so restricted, he still composed a great amount of music and perhaps his best work during this time.

In 1945, Villa-Lobos founded the Brazilian Academy of Music. The works of his last years include some virtuoistic concertos and a great portion of his seventeen string quartets. He died in 1959 and was given a grand burial by his country.

His Famous Compositions

His notable pieces include Bachinas Brasileiras no. 5, Choros no. 6, Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra and any of his string quartets. In particular his String Quartet #7 and his String Quartet #11 are two of his better outputs.

• List of Chamber Works by Villa-Lobos
• Other Romantic Composers
• Classical Net: Heitor Villa-Lobos
• Villa-Lobos Website

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