Analysis of Villa-Lobos’ Orchestration of Nepomuceno’s Oração ao Diabo

Abstract

This paper discusses the strategies used by Villa-Lobos for the orchestration of Alberto Nepomuceno’s song Oração ao Diabo. After a descriptive analysis, we considered the relation between the styles and idiomatic characteristics between the two composers in the orchestration of this piece for voice and piano. Comparing the idiosyncrasies of Villa-Lobos’ orchestration in this piece, with Nepomuceno’s style in his orchestral works, it is possible to infer that Villa-Lobos did not aim to reproduce Nepomuceno’s style of orchestration. Nevertheless, we also do not recognize the full autonomy of Villa-Lobos’ mature style. Here prevails a certain degree of academic neutrality, which allow us to identify a choice for universal and formal solutions by Villa-Lobos. This contrasts with the usual evaluations that he was an exotic orchestrator who disdained the techniques learned by academic studies.