Héitor Villa-Lobos
Heitor Villa-Lobos, Brazil's best-known classical composer, left a prolific body
of work, of which the Bachianas brasileiras and the typical Chôros stand out.
Born in Rio de Janeiro on March 5, 1887, he was immersed in music from an early
age, with his father, librarian and amateur cellist Raul Villa-Lobos, teaching
him the rudiments of the instrument. When the latter died in 1899, his
grandfather took over, and the young musician completed his training with the
piano and clarinet. He was soon drawn to the chorões, popular music ensembles
that encouraged him to take up the guitar...
