The complete solo works (cd)

Gramophone Awards
2026 Shortlist
Instrumental

Gramophone Magazine
July 2025
Editor's choice

Franz Halász (guitar)

Villa-Lobos: Estudos (12) for guitar, W235
Villa-Lobos: Suite populaire brésilienne
Villa-Lobos: Valse-chôro
Villa-Lobos: Chôros No. 1, W. 161 "Chôro típico"
Heitor Villa-Lobos, Débora Halász: Valsa Concerto No. 2, W 009 (completed by Débora Halász)
Villa-Lobos: Cinq Préludes, W. 419

Following his exploration of Spain with the music of Federico Moreno Torroba (BIS2725), Franz Halász now takes us to Brazil with the complete works for solo guitar by Heitor Villa-Lobos.

The music of this extremely prolific composer often combines the influences of European classical music with the popular and traditional music of his homeland, which he played from an early age. The twelve Études, thoroughly modern, are to the guitar what Chopin’s Études are to the piano. Andrés Segovia put it perfectly: ‘They present, at the same time, formulas of an amazing efficiency for the development of two-handed technique, and disinterested musical beauty.’ In contrast, the Suite populaire brésilienne and Chôros No. 1 reflect the composer’s youthful experiences as a ‘chôro’ musician playing Brazilian street music and offer a fusion of the characteristics of traditional music.

Finally, the five Préludes return to Brazilian folklore, of which they offer a synthesis in the form of five tableaux inspired by the popular repertoire. This recording also features two rarities: the recently discovered Valse-Chôro and the unfinished Valsa Concerto No. 2, completed by Débora Halász. An evocative blend of syncopated rhythms, exotic harmonies, sensual melodies… and guitaristic flamboyance!

"There are arguably few players today better placed than German guitarist Franz Halász to imbue Villa-Lobos’s musical language with an entirely modern sensibility that is both respectful and idiosyncratic." - Gramophone Magazine, July 2025