Dodd's DSD Discoveries

‘Preludes and Dances from Brazil’ is Entrancing Music

Mar 7, 2025 Bill Dodd

Welcome to ‘Dodd’s DSD Discoveries’, a review series from NativeDSD Senior Music Reviewer Bill Dodd. This series focuses on Bill’s latest selections, with new reviews regularly.

Entrancing!

Ricardo Gallén is one of the most talented and respected classical guitarists in the world. Those of you who are fans will probably have already grabbed this album. It’s made up of works from the composer whose name is synonymous with Brazilian concert music, Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959); and Colloquial Preludes, by Sergio Assad (1952), commissioned by Ricardo Gallén.

Ricardo Gallén playing the guitar

Ricardo Gallén alone on stage in the recording session

Ricardo Gallén with his guitar, in profile

The liner notes are from Assad, who makes his admiration for Villa-Lobos and Gallen quite obvious. His compositions do not imitate Villa-Lobos, but are deserving of being heard along side those of the earlier composer.

I love this album– it’s peaceful, it’s full of happiness. I was reminded of the solo piano music of Spanish composer, Federico Mompou. And Ricardo Gallén is amazing!

This is entrancing music, played by a world-class artist, and perfectly recorded.