Bachianas Brasileiras #8
BB#8 was written in Rio de Janeiro in 1944.
Thesis: Heller, Alfred. 1974. A conductor's guide to Villa-Lobos's Bachianas brasileiras, numbers two, three, and eight. Document (DM)--Indiana University.
2 Flutes, 1 Piccolo, 2 oboes, 1 English Horn, 2 Clarinets, 1 Bass Clarinet, 2 Bassoons, 1 Contra Bassoon, 4 Horns, 4 Trumpets, 4 trombones,1 tuba, Timpani, 3 percussion players ( tam-tam, xylo, 3 madeiras {low, medium, high - wood blocks}, tarol {deep, narrow SD}, bombo {BD}) Celesta, Strings
This comprehensive listing of Bachianas Brasileiras scores contains lots of useful information.
The beginning of every discussion of the Bachianas Brasilieras on disc is Villa-Lobos par lui-même. BB#08 performed by the French musicians under Villa-Lobos's direction is particularly strong.
The Naxos series of complete Bachianas Brasileiras combines excellent sound, very good orchestral and instrumental playing, and the vision of the late conductor Kenneth Schermerhorn. It also takes advantage of a thorough rethink of the scores, which over the years have accumulated many mistakes and interpretative accretions.
#8 is probably the least popular in the series. There are 14 records in the Villa-Lobos Concerts database as of July 2011.