HEITOR VILLA-LOBOS Bachianas Brasileiras No . 9
ABOUT THE COMPOSER
Born 1887 in Rio de Janeiro , Brazil ; died 1959 in Rio de Janeiro , Brazil
• Villa-Lobos was born into a musically-inclined family . His father was an amateur musician and regularly held musical gatherings in their home .
• At age 18 , Villa-Lobos left home to pursue his dream of being a musician . He embarked on a journey through Brazil , absorbing the folk music of each region he passed through .
• Villa-Lobos believed in incorporating Brazilian folk music into compositions during a pivotal time in history after Brazil gained independence . His love for his country is strongly represented in his music .
• Upon traveling to Europe in 1923 , when asked what he came to study , Villa-Lobos replied , “ I am here to demonstrate my own achievements .”
• After returning to Brazil , Villa-Lobos strongly advocated for Brazilian music to be incorporated into school curriculums . His influence can still be seen in music education in Brazil today . Villa-Lobos is considered one of the most influential composers of the 20th century .
FUN FACT
Villa-Lobos ’ music was used in the soundtrack to Fifty Shades of Grey .
THE WORLD AT A GLANCE
1945
MUSIC Django Reinhardt ’ s Paris 1945
TECHNOLOGY Percy Spencer accidentally discovers that microwaves can heat food
ABOUT THE PIECE
• The Bachianas Brasileiras are a series of nine suites written by Villa-Lobos between 1930-1945 . The suites bring together the styles of J . S . Bach and Brazilian folk and popular music .
• The Bachianas Brasileiras No . 9 , the final of the suites , was composed in 1945 while Villa-Lobos was in New York . Originally scored for unaccompanied choir , the piece is often played by string orchestra . The piece unfolds in expansive harmonies and is seen as a summation of the set of works .
LITERATURE George Orwell ’ s Animal Farm
HISTORY The U . S . detonates atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki
6 BALTIMORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA