Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887–1959) was the greatest Brazilian composer of the 20th century and one of the most original creators of Latin American music. An extraordinarily prolific author, he created more than a thousand works, synthesising the European academic tradition with the rich Brazilian folklore.
His most famous output is the cycle “Bachianas Brasileiras,” in which the composer wittily combined the polyphonic style of Johann Sebastian Bach with the rhythms and melodies of Brazilian folk music. Especially celebrated is the aria from the fifth Bachiana for soprano and an ensemble of cellos. Villa-Lobos also did much for music education in his homeland. His work revealed to the world the inimitable sound of Brazil and placed Latin American music on a par with the leading traditions.
