São Paulo Samba

When conductor John Neschling took over Brazil's Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo in the mid-1990s, the group lacked a concert hall and, as Neschling puts it, “was in shambles.” Not anymore. Captured here performing on New Year's Eve 2008 before an enraptured audience at the converted São Paulo train station the orchestra now calls home, this scintillating concert showcases the breadth and richness of Brazilian music. The title is a bit of a misnomer; although the program includes some samba, the set also features classical, jazz, popular music, and more. In fact, over a dozen pieces are played, including a couple of lengthy, suite-like works that effortlessly blur the lines between genres. Alberto Ginastera's wildly percussive “Malambo” (named for a dance of the gauchos) is a loud and lively opener; tango master Astor Piazzolla's “Invierno Porteño” (“Winter in Buenos Aires”)—part of a tribute to Vivaldi's Four Seasons—has a slightly baroque quality; Heitor Villa-Lobos' “Choros no. 10” mixes the kind of drive and dissonance found in Stravinsky with a large choral group; and the João Bosco/Aldir Blanc piece “Linha de Passe,” one of several numbers in which the orchestra is joined by a group called Banda Mantiqueira, is essentially big-band jazz with burning improvisations by the alto sax and trombone players. The visuals are brilliantly clear, the sound is superb, the direction is expert, and the overall vibe is joyous. Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1, and PCM stereo, DVD extras include an interview with Neschling. Highly recommended. Aud: P. (S. Graham)