Heitor Villa-Lobos was the most prominent South American classical composer of the 20th century, whose monumental synthesis of indigenous Brazilian folk polyphony, Afro-Brazilian rhythms, and J.S. Bach's counterpoint produced masterpieces like 'Bachianas Brasileiras' and 'Chôros'.
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Brazilian Classical Composer, Conductor, Cellist, and Classical Guitarist
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Honor the extraordinary legacy of Heitor Villa-Lobos on November 17 with these curated quotes, philosophical reflections, and heartfelt tributes celebrating their monumental impact on Brazilian Classical Composer, Conductor, Cellist, and Classical Guitarist.
“My music is the natural consequence of my composition. When I write, it is Brazil that sings through my pen.”
“I do not use folklore; I am the folklore!”
“Bach is a universal musical deity who belongs to every forest, every river, and every culture on earth.”
“The Amazon jungle, the birds, the cataracts, the street chorões of Rio—that was my conservatory. European books only taught me how to put it on paper.”
“Music is like bread; it must be shared with everyone, especially the children in the public schools.”
“Better to write bad music of your own than good music imitating someone else.”
“A composer who does not feel the pulse of his own people is merely an arranger of empty notes.”
“Rhythm is the blood of music. Without rhythm, harmony is merely a decorative corpse.”
“I never followed rules because the rules of the past cannot contain the wild majesty of the New World.”
“When I die, play my music loudly so that my soul can dance its way into eternity.”
Brazilian Classical Composer, Conductor, Cellist, and Classical Guitarist
