Brazilian Souls: Portraits of Brazilian Nationalism in the Piano

Authors

• Rafael Lima Lima de Paula, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

First Advisor

Paul Barnes

Degree Name

Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.)

Committee Members

James Garza, Karen Becker, Mark Clinton

Department

Music

Date of this Version

5-5-2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Citation

A dissertation presented to the faculty of the Graduate College at the University of Nebraska in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree Doctor of Musical Arts

Major: Music

Under the supervision of Professor Paul Barnes

Lincoln, Nebraska, May 2026

Comments

Copyright 2026, Rafael Lima Lime de Paula. Used by permission

Abstract

This portfolio consists of the artifacts of the creative, artistic and research work realized during my doctoral studies. In its core, all recitals had Brazilian music, especially that of H. Villa-Lobos, as a unifying element, although personal taste and reasoning were also a driving force behind choosing repertoire and building a theme for each recital. The research work is connected to the repertoire performed, with Villa-Lobos' music and the Brazilian nationalist movement as common threads. “Respectful Majesty,” the research paper attached to Recital 1 analyzes elements present in Villa-Lobos Bachianas Brasileiras N.4 and brings the piece's neoclassical nature to the spotlight alongside the composer's late-period characteristics and personal goals. “Self-anthropophagy,” attached to the second recital, discusses Villa-Lobos' use of indigenous elements to build a nationalistic identity and contrasts that with the Anthropophagist movement, from Brazilian Nationalism. This research also coined the term self-anthropophagy to refer to Villa-Lobos's use of Indigenous elements in music and discusses the veracity of his experiences with native tribes in Brazil. Finally, the lecture titled “Brazilian Souls” explores the different facets of Brazilian nationalism in music as well as its influences and opposing forces, presenting Brazilian piano music beyond Villa-Lobos.