Symphonies Nos.4 & 9

"As well as being bowled over by the music, I was also impressed with the playing of the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra. Brazilian born John Neschling - a grand-nephew of Schoenberg - has been its principal conductor since 1997 and he inspires the players in music which often seems to require considerable orchestral virtuosity. The chorus is excellent too although set quite well back in the aural image."
(MusicWeb Recording of the Month April 2006)

Bis's collaboration with São Paulo Symphony Orchestra (OSESP) has resulted in eight discs so far, including a first volume of the complete Bachianas Brasileiras by Villa-Lobos, as well as introducing lesser-known Brazilian composers such as Camargo Guarnieri, Francisco Mignone and Francisco Braga to a wider audience. The results have been electrifying, as has the critical response to both performances and works: 'Impossible not to be converted to 'Brasilianismo' by this disc … Only joy itself could speak to us in such a marvellously brash manner' (Fono Forum, about Mignone); 'As with previous releases in this series, Neschling and his orchestra sound terrific... Terrific sonics, terrific music – Guarnieri merits very serious attention, no doubt about it. More, please.' (Classics Today.com, about Guarnieri); 'Under the inspired direction of John Neschling, the achievements of the São Paulo Orchestra are extraordinarily precise and colourful, aided by a recording of particular distinction' (Répertoire, about Braga). With the present disc, the turn has come to Claudio Santoro (1919-1989), whose orchestral output is represented by two of his symphonies as well as the shorter pieces Ponteio for strings – perhaps Santoro's most performed orchestral work – and Frevo, both heavily indebted to Brazilian rhythms and sonorities.