Heitor Villa-Lobos: The Complete String Quartets

Performing Ensemble: Cuarteto Latinoamericano (Saúl Bitrán, violin; Arón Bitrán, violin; Javier Montiel, viola; Álvaro Bitrán, cello)

About the Music & Artists

Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887–1959) composed more than 2,000 works, with his 17 string quartets representing one of the most significant chamber music cycles composed in the 20th century. Written over a span of 42 years between 1915 and 1957, these quartets display a wide range of musical forms, folk influences, and expressive depth.

Formed in 1982, Mexico's Cuarteto Latinoamericano is widely recognized as a premier ensemble dedicated to Latin American string quartet repertoire. The ensemble features brothers Saúl, Arón, and Álvaro Bitrán alongside violist Javier Montiel. Their comprehensive recording cycle of the Villa-Lobos string quartets received GRAMMY® and Latin Grammy nominations for Best Chamber Music Performance.

Track Listing

Disc 1

• String Quartet No. 6 (1938)
• String Quartet No. 1 (1915)
• String Quartet No. 17 (1957)

Disc 2

• String Quartet No. 3 (1916)
• String Quartet No. 8 (1944)
• String Quartet No. 14 (1953)

Disc 3

• String Quartet No. 7 (1942)
• String Quartet No. 15 (1954)

Disc 4

• String Quartet No. 2 (1915)
• String Quartet No. 12 (1950)
• String Quartet No. 16 (1955)

Disc 5

• String Quartet No. 5 (1931)
• String Quartet No. 10 (1946)
• String Quartet No. 13 (1951)

Disc 6

• String Quartet No. 4 (1917)
• String Quartet No. 9 (1945)
• String Quartet No. 11 (1948)