Today marks the 50th Anniversary of the death of legendary Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos. I thought it might be interesting to take a look at various interpretations of one of his most famous works, Bachiana No. 5
Bachianas Brasileiras
Consists of nine suites written between 1935-1945, Villa-Lobos combined Brazilian music with that of Johann Sebastian Bach. Bachiana No. 5 was written as an aria.
The classical version of the song by Bidu Sayão, a Brazilian opera singer and friend of Villa Lobos.
Bidu Sayão
A Very Haunting Version by American Salli Terri and Brazilian Laurindo Almeida. One can see the influence and commonalities of this with some of Luis Bonfa’s later work, particularly “Adeus” from Luis Bonfa Plays and Sings Bossa Nova (Rhapsody Link to Listen)
And now for the Brazilian Side of the Bachiana No. 5,
And a samba interpretation by Jorge Aragão
