Heitor Villa-Lobos ： Bachianas Brasileiras No.4 W264

Villa-Lobos’s Bachianas Brasileiras No. 4 is a piano work that combines contrapuntal writing reminiscent of Bach with the rhythms and lyricism of Brazilian music. It consists of four sections—a Prelude, Chorale, Aria, and Finale—whose contrasting characters range from weighty sonorities and introspective singing to flowing melody and lively rhythm. It is important to distinguish the different voices clearly while allowing the principal melodies to sing expressively. In the Finale, performers should maintain the precision and forward motion of the syncopations, while carefully controlling dynamics and pedal to bring out its vivid rhythmic character.