Conductor Isaac Karabtchevsky was called "one of the living icons of Brazil" by London's Guardian newspaper, and he has pursued major career activities in Europe as well. In 1969, Karabtchevsky became the conductor of the Orquestra Sinfônica Brasileira in Rio de Janeiro. In 1990, he made his recording debut, leading the Orquestra Sinfônica Brasileira in a complete recording of Villa-Lobos' Bachianas Brasileiras. He has served as conductor of the Heliopolis Symphony Orchestra, an ensemble based in a São Paulo slum, and in 2015, he was the subject of a competition presentation by the São Paulo samba school Unidos de Vila. Among Karabtchevsky's recording activities has been a cycle of the symphonies of Villa-Lobos with the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra. He returned in 2023 with a recording of Villa-Lobos' works for cello and orchestra, leading the São Paulo Symphony and cellist Antonio Meneses.