Complete Works for Solo Guitar

After his journey of discovery through Spain with the music of Federico Moreno Torroba (jpc 11914077), Franz Halász now takes us to Brazil with the complete works for solo guitar by Heitor Villa-Lobos. The music of this highly prolific composer often combines the influences of European classical music with the popular and traditional music of his native country. The twelve thoroughly modern etudes are to the guitar what the etudes of Frédéric Chopin are to the piano. The "Suite populaire bresilienne" and "Choros No. 1", by contrast, reflect the composer's youthful experiences as a "choro" musician who played Brazilian street music and offer a fusion of the characteristics of traditional music. Finally, the five Préludes return to Brazilian folklore. This recording also contains two rarities: the recently discovered "Valse-Choro" and the unfinished "Valsa Concerto No. 2", completed by Debora Halász. The Latin Grammy-winning guitarist Franz Halász gained international fame through his victories in the Andrés Segovia and Seto-Ohashi competitions. He is known for his acclaimed recordings of composers such as Turina, Piazzolla and Bach and has performed worldwide with leading musicians and orchestras.