VILLA-LOBOS: “BACHIANAS BRASILEIRAS” NOS. 1 & 5;...

VILLA-LOBOS: “BACHIANAS BRASILEIRAS” NOS. 1 & 5; BACH: CHACONNE; AIR (ON THE G-STRING), others. Arleen Auger, soprano; Yale Cellos conducted by Aldo Parisot. Delos D/CD 3041 (compact disc). Because of their unusual instrumentation--an orchestra of cellos--these two “Bachianas Brasileiras” are not heard as often as their pungent, powerful music merits. Parisot’s 35 young cellists play with great zeal, and Auger supplies the well-known No. 5 with pure tone and wonderfully slinky phrasing. The Bach transcriptions on the disc--one by Villa-Lobos himself-- are much less interesting, but served with impartial vibrancy by the Delos sonics.