Heitor Villa-Lobos: A Life (1887-1959) - Hardcover

Appleby, David P.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0810841495 ISBN 13: 9780810841499

Publisher: Scarecrow Press, 2002

Synopsis

Heitor Villa-Lobos was the greatest Brazilian composer of the 20th century. Best known for his extraordinary Bachianas Brasilieres no.5, one of the most popular melodies of the last 100 years, Villa-Lobos drew on the folk music of his native country in more than 1,000 musical works for countless combinations of instruments and voices. His studies in Paris and his travels in the US added a cosmopolitan flavor to his music but he remained deeply committed to the music and musical culture of Brazil.

This new study of his life and works is based on the composer's private papers and correspondence. David Appleby was born and raised in Brazil and has been studying and performing Villa-Lobos's music for over 50 years. He steers a course through the composer's often contradictory statement about his life and his music, and provides us with a rounded picture of this great figure of the 20th-century music. The book will be essential reading for anyone who has ever succumbed to the magic and power of Villa-Lobos's music and to anyone interested in the arts in Brazil over the last century.

About this title

About the Author:

David P. Appleby is Professor Emeritus at Eastern Illinois University and recipient of the Villa-Lobos Award by the Brazilian government.

Review:

The author has adopted a realistic approach in his book, giving account of the adventuresome life of Villa-Lobos with appropriate commentaries on his principal works [and] an excellent perception of the technical and aesthetic qualities of the works discussed...The new book is an excellent introduction to the American public for further study of the music of Heitor Villa-Lobos and a valuable contribution to the extensive bibliography of the Maestro. (Brasiliana, (Translated From Portuguese))

...provides a panoramic view of the main historical and artistic events in twentieth-century Brazil. (Notes: Quarterly Journal of the Music Library Association)

[Heitor Villa-Lobos: A Life (1887-1959)] provides a rounded picture of this great figure in 20th century music. (Hispanic Outlook)

There is no doubt that [this] is a labor of personal commitment and dedication over the years, made possible by the author's research and teaching in Brazil....The result is a very personal collection of information dependent circumstantially on the authors' travels, sources, and interests....Appleby's work as pure story can be read with enjoyment and delight. (Luso-Brazilian Review)

This book is marvelous on detail about the great man...I do like this book and I will return to read it over and over again. (Classical Guitar)

This reviewer commends Appleby for the superb work. (CHOICE)

About this edition

• Publisher: Scarecrow Press
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0810841495
• ISBN 13: 9780810841499
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 203