Tópicos nas Cirandas: Um olhar para o texto e o contexto das pequenas peças de Heitor Villa-Lobos

Abstract

Cirandas mark a significant milestone in the piano repertoire of the Brazilian composer Heitor Villa- Lobos. Composed during the vibrant period of Brazilian modernism and nationalism in the 1920s, Cirandas are characterized by a symbiotic relation between a series of quotations from children’s folk melodies and Villa-Lobos’ own creative vision. This interaction between different musical texts not only serves as a crucial tool for comprehending these musical pieces but also forms an integral part of it, with musical references embedded within the composition. In this regard, the Topic Theory provides a valuable analytical approach, as the topics represent musical figures that facilitate a fluid connection between structural analysis and contextual considerations. Therefore, this article aims to explore the interplay between the textual and contextual dimensions, focusing on three themes—nationalism, childhood, and Luso-Brazilian influences—which, in conjunction with the topics, offer a new perspective on Cirandas and their broader artistic milieu.