RECORDS CLASSICAL

CLASSICAL

Alma Brasiliera: Music of Villa-Lobos. New World Symphony Orchestra/Tilson Thomas (RCA, CD only). Don't be thrown by the cover image of Michael Tilson Thomas loitering in a tropical rainforest with a parrot on his arm, wearing the don't-touch-me expression of someone who's either waiting for a drugs drop or just doesn't like parrots. This is a supremely approachable disc, belonging to the serious-meets-fun department of 20th-century music - an area which Tilson Thomas can teach most other conductors a thing or two about (things he learnt largely at the feet of his mentor Leonard Bernstein). The repertory - Bachianas Brasilieras nos 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9, plus the jungle romp of Choros no 10 - marries what Villa-Lobos would have called the particular, local tongue of South American folk tradition with the universal language of the European baroque. And Tilson Thomas holds those two worlds in perfect balance, with just enough southern-hemisphere kick to the rhythms, just enough north- ern decorum, and a lot of style without too much showbiz. As for his Florida- based New World Symphony, they may only be a training orchestra for young musicians, but I'd defy you to know that from the quality of the string sound - or any other aspect of their playing. Rich and forthright, with a delectable cameo appearance from soprano Renee Fleming in BB no 5, this is a flying start to the orchestra's new relationship with RCA.