Rudepoêma

"Rudepoêma", or "Savage Poem", is a composition by Heitor Villa-Lobos. It was written from 1921 to 1926 and is the largest and most challenging work Villa-Lobos wrote for the solo piano. It is in one continuous movement and runs about 19-20 minutes. The piece has been (with some licence) described as "Le Sacre du Printemps meets the Brazilian jungle." [http://www.classicstoday.com/review.asp?ReviewNum=2001] "Rudepoêma" was later orchestrated by the composer, and premiered under his baton in Rio de Janeiro on July 15, 1942.

The piece was intended as a tonal portrait of the Polish-American pianist Arthur Rubinstein. It is rhapsodic in style and elastic in its structure. It is filled with varied rhythms and dynamic tempo changes which are meant to portray Rubinstein's brilliant and varied personality.

References

*David Ewen, "Encyclopedia of Concert Music". New York; Hill and Wang, 1959.