South Florida Classical Review on Simone Leitão and Brazilian Classical Series

The new Brazilian Classical Series made an auspicious debut Friday night at the Arsht Center with “Amazon Inspirations,” a tribute to Heitor Villa-Lobos. Founded by pianist Simone Leitao, this venture plans to focus on Brazilian artists and composers. Based on the high artistic quality of the initial presentation, the series should be an important addition to South Florida’s cultural landscape. Momoprecoce Fantasy for piano and orchestra represented Villa-Lobos’ modernist vein. This score’s acid harmonics recall Stravinsky’s works for piano and instrumental ensemble, the orchestral writing no less spiky. Leitao was the capable, note-perfect soloist in this elaborate work, a concerto in everything but name. She was most convincing in the dreamy, rhapsodic sections in which she displayed stirring lyrical sweep.