BROUWER: The City of Columns; Journey to the Source; New Simple Studies; Album Leaf-The Raindrop; Suite No. 1, “Antigua”; MANUEL SAUMELL: Contra Dances; JOAQUIN CLERCH: Yemaya – Graham Anthony Devine, guitar – Naxos

by | Mar 21, 2008 | Classical CD Reviews | 0 comments

BROUWER: The City of Columns; Journey to the Source; New Simple Studies; Album Leaf-The Raindrop; Suite No. 1, “Antigua”; MANUEL SAUMELL: Contra Dances; JOAQUIN CLERCH: Yemaya – Graham Anthony Devine, guitar – Naxos 8.570251, 70:24 ****(*):

This is the first time I have had the opportunity to examine the music of Cuban composer Leo Brouwer with any commitment and consistency; though I have heard snippets of his music on collections and even the radio, sitting down for almost an hour with this innovative and thoroughly creative composer was eye-opening. This release, the forth in Naxos’s ongoing cycle, also includes some interesting recordings by composers close to Brouwer either personally or musically.

What we know for certain about the man is that he seems to be creating one of the most substantial repertory bodies for any instrument since Chopin so boosted the performing options of pianists’ years ago. Brouwer was born in Havana in 1939 and had his first guitar lessons at the age of 14. He studied at Hartford University and at Juilliard, where Persichetti and Wolpe were among his mentors. Both film music and the avantgarde touched him as influences, though his latest and most substantial period has seen a return to his Cuban roots, along with a refined and lovely melodic sensibility. The works on this disc are all relatively recent (1996-2004) and represent a substantial achievement in terms of descriptive music that is not impressionistic, but yet portrays the look and feel of the designated places (Havana in The City of Columns and Antigua in the Suite so named). And one must not overlook the wonderfully apt and character-laden New Simple Studies, each of the ten pieces reflecting the sound world and style of a particular composer, from Debussy to Stravinsky.

Two other composers contribute to this release. Manuel Saumell (1817-1870) went a long to way to reviving the contradance in Cuba, a form which made its way to Europe though believed to have been inspired by Franco-Haitian slaves seeking refuge in Cuba during the late 18th century. These are lovely miniatures that are replete with the dance rhythms were are to hear in later music from that tried island. Brouwer’s friend Joaquin Clerch has written much music as a protégé of the composer, and his Yemaya, based on the character of the Cuban goddess, reflect various aspects of her affections and temperament in the seven movements of the work, which won the 1987 Cuban composition competition. It is a fitting closer.

British guitarist Graham Anthony Devine makes a fine showing here, fully up to the considerable technical demands of this music, while not shying away from the also-considerable challenges of a singing tone and intelligent phrasing. This has whetted my appetite, and there is definitely more Brouwer in my future. There should be in yours too.

— Steven Ritter  
 

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