Camargo Guarnieri’s catalogue of works represents a legacy of incalculable worth for Brazilian culture, as has his influence as a teacher on several generations of younger composers. His association with the poet and musicologist Mário de Andrade led to the birth of the Brazilian Nationalist School and the ideals of using traditional Brazilian music in classical forms. The series of seven Chôros and the Seresta for piano and orchestra represent Guarnieri’s personal approach to the concerto form, with striking contrasts between potent rhythm and dense, emotionally-charged soundscapes and melodies full of Brazilian inspiration. This volume forms part of the first complete recording of the Chôros.

Camargo Guarnieri (1907-1993) has long been a respected figure in Brazilian culture in the 20th century, but his profile amongst the wider general public has been increasing more recently through recordings of his symphonies and other orchestral works. Naxos has contributed to this expanding of appreciation for a composer with recordings of his piano works (857262627), as well as the six Piano Concertos (8557666 and 8557667).

This new release is the latest in our ‘Music of Brazil’ series, co-produced with the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to promote music by Brazilian composers dating back to the 18th century. The initial release in the series, Alberto Nepomuceno’s Symphony in G minor (8574067) was a Gramophone Choice.