Globally recognized as the preeminent choir for contemporary music, the SWR Vokalensemble presents a program of rarely performed choral masterworks by Villa-Lobos – including several CD and World premiere recordings! Villa-Lobos’ modern, folkloristic works will appeal strongly to fans of contemporary music and all collectors of superb choral singing.

The self-taught Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos is best remembered today for his brilliant and idiomatic works for guitar and his series of works for various orchestral and chamber ensembles known as “Bachianas Brasileiras.” As the title implies, the “Bachianas Brasileiras” were Villa-Lobos’ attempt to juxtapose indigenous Brazilian idioms upon a Neo-Baroque, contrapuntal texture. This European-Nativist dichotomy would serve to define much of Villa-Lobos’ prolific output (more than 2000 works have been catalogued) and inspired some of the 20th century’s most beautiful, vigorous and exotic music. In 1932 the government of Brazil made choral singing in municipal schools mandatory, and Villa-Lobos was made the head of SEMA, the ministry of musical education, serving as an impetus for creating a vast repertoire of new Brazilian choral music.

This exciting new recording by the SWR Vokalensemble and Marcus Creed documents this largely unknown aspect of Villa-Lobos’ massive choral output (more than 200 works have been catalogued), including several works recorded for the first time! From the sublime elegance of Bachianas Brasileiras Nr. 9 to the passionate Preces Sem Palavras (Prayers without Words), Marcus Creed and the SWR Vokalensemble have not only provided an essential document to the genius of Brazil’s greatest composer, but have given fans of exquisite choral music a new reason to rejoice!