Villa-Lobos is probably best-known for his series of suites, the Bachianas Brasileiras. Though he wrote nine in the series, none is more popular than the fifth, one of two which include a cello octet (the other is the first, which is sans soprano). Though the idea of anyone pretending to be David Popper might send chills down the spine, Villa-Lobos's handling of the ensemble is beautifully controlled and delicate. While it would be difficult to claim the work as Earth-shattering, it is pleasant enough -- and being fairly short, it is over before it gets old or overbearing. It simply and elegantly says what it has to say, and then ends.