In 2012, we celebrated the 125th birthday of Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos with a series of three chamber music concerts devoted entirely to his works. This year we continue that tradition, with a varied program of works for wind ensembles, strings, and piano. The program, organized by pianist and Villa-Lobos expert Fred Sturm, will include:

Trio for Oboe, Clarinet and Bassoon (1921). Performed by Kevin Vigneau, Keith Lemmons, and Denise Turner (all UNM faculty members). This virtuosic work was written in a very free, rhythmic, improvisatory style, roughly based on the popular “choros” style of the street musicians of Rio.

Choros #4 (1927), for three horns and trombone, and Choros #3 (1925) for clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, three horns and trombone. Performed by student ensembles under the direction of Fernando Cardoso, trombonist. These works were written for Villa-Lobos’ second voyage to Paris, where he presented them as examples of his own very distinctive style of composition.

String Quartet #5 (1931). Performed by the Abe Frank Quartet, resident graduate student quartet. This quartet is based on a number of Brazilian children’s songs, that Villa-Lobos used in several settings.

Suite Floral for piano (1916-1918). Performed by Fred Sturm, music department alumnus and currently staff piano technician. This colorful work is somewhat impressionistic in style, as the movement titles suggest: Idyll in the Hammock, Young Girl’s Song, Garden Party.