Villa-Lobos: The Little Train of the Caipira, Behind the Score (Episode 16)
Added 2022-03-29 22:51:24 +0000 UTCFor episode 16, we're going south of the equator to take a look at a gem of a short orchestral work from Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos. It has a great deal of character and is a great example of using orchestrational voicings to achieve a desired sound effect.
Comments
This was beautiful... back in the days in which Brazil actually had proper trains. I love Villa-Lobos. And yes, caipira is not derogatory per se, though people can use it that way depending on the context and tone of voice. But I think it's a beautiful word and you have to think of our lovely caipirinha drink :)
Marcela Hofman-Mourao
2022-05-20 10:54:33 +0000 UTCJOAN BAEZ ~ Bachianas Brasileiras No 5 Aria Definitely worth a listen Doug. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfTtUxyjOaE
John Gamesby
2022-04-11 00:53:41 +0000 UTCvery interesting music and comment thanks doug
Michel Paré
2022-03-31 17:16:35 +0000 UTCI love rodrigo to…
Michel Paré
2022-03-31 17:15:53 +0000 UTCThanks for this episode, Doug. Ever since I came across this composer years ago in school, I would marvel at his orchestration. It's every bit as evocative as Debussy and Respighi. You can hear the pistons and engine, the whistle, the steam gathering pressure and being let out at the end. It's all just remarkable and utterly beautiful. A question for you, though: HV-L uses the term 'Toccata' for this movement. Is that because of the exposed and somewhat virtuostic playing in the percussion section ? Thanks for bringing some illumination to this work, especially with regard to all the close voicings and dissonance that creates the character and indeed, magic, inside this piece..
Peter Tutak
2022-03-30 18:25:44 +0000 UTCWhat a fascinating little piece. I love when a piece is composed to play like something other than just music; like the Paganini Caprices (I think) that sound like like forest and bird song. You can close your eyes and listen to this piece and you are transported to a train - great fun!
Thom P
2022-03-30 17:58:03 +0000 UTCGreat stuff - I especially enjoyed your discussion of low-register dissonance and Maj add6 chords.
David Marshall
2022-03-30 17:27:14 +0000 UTCI love the exposure to new pieces - Thank you so much for this.
Dan Noyes
2022-03-30 03:47:00 +0000 UTC
