“Nothing is sufficient to revere the memory of Villa-Lobos. He was not only a great composer, but a great Brazilian. His works reflect and preserve forever the happy combination of folklore elements and conventional international compositional processes, which dignify his country and his art.”
                          - Leonard Bernstein
The 2009 Brazilian Classical Series will be dedicated to the symphonic music of Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959), one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. In his music, Villa-Lobos describes Brazil in its unique diversity of colors and sounds. Among Brazil’s natural splendors, the Amazon rainforest remained Villa-Lobos’ favorite source of inspiration. Featuring The Miami Symphony Orchestra with guest conductor Luiz Fernando Malheiro, Artistic Director of the Amazon Philharmonic Orchestra and of the Amazon Opera Festival, performing the symphonic poem “Forest of the Amazon” and the beloved “Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5”, both sung by internationally renowned soprano Edna D’Oliveira, as well as “Mômoprecoce (fantasy for piano and orchestra based on set of pieces entitled “Carnaval of Brazilian Children”), performed by critically acclaimed pianist Simone Leitão.

The Brazilian Classical Series aims to celebrate Brazil’s symphonic culture and to foster the future of Brazil’s classical music by donating a major part of its proceeds to a youth orchestra project called NEOJIBÁ in the State of Bahia, where social integration through orchestral practice enables children and young adults to learn responsibility, team work, discipline and respect through music education.

Made possible with the generous support of Vale, Odebrecht and the Consulate General of Brazil in Miami.