This recording marks the Delos Records debut of the Brazilian Guitar Quartet. The ensemble was formed to play original repertoire as well as transcriptions of music in different styles and from various traditions. There's probably no better way of making a debut than focusing on the music of four Brazilian composers: Heitor Villa-Lobos, M. Camargo Guarnieri, Francisco Mignone, and Antonio Carlos Gomes.

Villa-Lobos is the most well-known of all Brazilian composers, and excerpts from his 'Bachianas Brasileiras' no 1 are presented in a tasty four-guitar transcription. The quartet is right at home in the music, brilliantly reveling in the Bachian chromaticism of the Preludio. Less familiar than Villa-Lobos, the Italian-born Guarnieri is represented by 'Four Pieces.' The works were originally scored for piano but here they are arranged by quartet member Edelton Gloeden. Guarnieri's music is delightful and a real find. His "Danca Negra" is especially noteworthy and is marked by its bluesy melody. More formal in structure is the "Sonata" by Gomes, a composition originally written for string quintet. The Brazilian Guitar Quartet's transcription works very well for guitar. The "Sonata" is memorable for its songful Largo movement.