Music Web International: Recording of the Year 2006; Klassik Heute 10/10/10.
Our collaboration with São Paulo Symphony Orchestra (OSESP) has resulted in eight discs so far, including a first volume of the complete Bachianas Brasileiras by Villa-Lobos, as well as introducing lesser-known Brazilian composers such as Camargo Guarnieri, Francisco Mignone and Francisco Braga to a wider audience. The results have been electrifying, as has the critical response to both performances and works: ‘Impossible not to be converted to ‘Brasilianismo’ by this disc … Only joy itself could speak to us in such a marvellously brash manner’ (Fono Forum, about Mignone); ‘As with previous releases in this series, Neschling and his orchestra sound terrific... Terrific sonics, terrific music – Guarnieri merits very serious attention, no doubt about it. More, please.’ (Classics Today.com, about Guarnieri); ‘Under the inspired direction of John Neschling, the achievements of the São Paulo Orchestra are extraordinarily precise and colourful, aided by a recording of particular distinction’ (Répertoire, about Braga).
With the present disc, the turn has come to Claudio Santoro (1919-1989), whose orchestral output is represented by two of his symphonies as well as the shorter pieces Ponteio for strings – perhaps Santoro’s most performed orchestral work – and Frevo, both heavily indebted to Brazilian rhythms and sonorities.
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