Naxos has launched a major new recording project aimed at familiarising the rest of the world with the rich musical history of Brazil. Announcing the five-year series at Carnegie Hall in New York, as well at events in London, Berlin and Tokyo, the label described a commitment to present over 100 works by 12 composers spread across more than 30 CDs.

Minas Gerais Philharmonic

The aim of “The Music of Brazil” is to demonstrate that “Villas Lobos was not an isolated case,” according to Ambassador Enio Cordeiro, the Brazilian Consul General, who introduced the launch event in New York. Raymond Bisha, Naxos of America and Canada Senior Vice President of Marketing, went on to explain how thrilled he had been to look at a list of names, most of whom were unfamiliar to him. Collectors would be delighted to learn, he said, that most of the music has not previously been available outside of Brazil, while many of the works will be world premieres on disc.

“The project is a continuation of my longstanding interest in the classical music of Brazil,” wrote Klaus Heymann, President and Founder of Naxos. “The Naxos catalogue already has...