By Andy Daly.
I cannot recall the time of year, but
it was 1976 and as an amateur player
I always listened to the late Peter
Sensier's BBC Radio 3 programme "The
Classical Guitar". This edition was
to review the Toronto '75 Guitar Competition.
Before discussing the candidates themselves,
Peter asked the listener to enjoy with
him a performance recorded at the festival,
not by a competitor but by one of the
international soloists who was there
to take master classes. As I listened
it was obvious to me that here was a
player of great expertise, technically
and musically. When it was finished
Peter Sensier remarked
"Now I don't know
how you feel about that, but to me
it embodies all the best aspects of
guitar playing, it's authoritative,
musicianly, it's stamped with the
personality of the soloist and is
full of the sheer joy of playing music
on the guitar"
Peter had put into words
all the feeling I had about the performance.
(Peruvian Folk Song:Danza del Altiplano).
This is my first memory
of that guitarist, Leo Brouwer. I was
to learn that there was a lot more to
this man than just a player.
Photo ©
Colin Cooper with permission
Leo Brouwer was born Juan Leovigildo
Brouwer in Havana, Cuba on 1st March
1939. He started to play the guitar
at the age of 13, drawn to it by the
sounds of Flamenco and encouraged by
this father, a doctor and himself an
amateur guitarist. His first real teacher
was Isaac Nicola who was a pupil of
Emilo Pujol (1886-1980) who in turn
had been a pupil of Francesco Tárrega
(1852-1909). (Both of the latter are
giants in the world of guitar, not only
as players but as composers and arrangers
of other people's music). So Brouwer
was part of the lineage of artists involved
in different aspects of music through
the instrument and it was natural that
he played the traditional repertoire
of classical and romantic pieces, giving
his first public performance at the
age of 17; but already his composing
was coming to the fore. Prelude
(1956) and Fugue (1959), influenced
by Bartok and Stravinsky, show an early
awareness of music outside the guitar.
To further his musical education he
went to America and studied composition
at the Julliard School and then at Hartt
College in Hartford.
Brouwer's early output
(late 50's to early 60's) naturally
embodies his own Cuban background and
has the Afro-Cuban folk influence and
rhythmic style. A good example of this
period is Elogio de la Danza.
Although for solo guitar, the 2nd movement
is a tribute to the Ballets Russes
(a Stravinsky connection) and it has
been choreographed. There then followed
works like Le Espiral Eterna.
Guitar Concerto No. 1 and Cantincum
the first part of which represents the
process by which an adult insect emerges
from the pupa case and incidentally,
incorporates the unusually rare detuning
of the guitars sixth string to E flat.
(I know of only one other piece where
this is used: Impromptus. No 3 .
by Richard Rodney Bennett, 1936 -).
This period incorporated the use of
serial, 12 tone and open serial modes
which are somewhat avante garde in nature.
The latest period is
almost minimalistic, not going so far
as a Steve Reich, for instances, but
an exploration of this is evident. Brouwer
describes it as a development of a modular
system, Tres Ballades El Decameron
Negro are probably the first in
this style and Hika, In Memoriam
Toru Takemitsu (1996) in memory
of the Japanese composer is the most
recent.
The history of the Classical
Guitar has been well served by its players
and composers in writing technical exercises
and studies for the instrument. Notably,
Fernando Sor (1778-1839), Matteo Carcassi
(1792-1853) and Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959).
To further the physical requirements
of modern guitar playing Brouwer wrote
early in his career Etudes Simples"Nos
1 – 20 (simple studies). New students
of the guitar should beware of the title,"simple"
they are not!.With these studies Brouwer
has undoubtedly produced a major work
in the development of guitar technique,
making them not only demanding but also
very musical.
As well as original
compositions, Brouwer is an avid arranger
of other composers such as Scott Joplin
Elite Syncopations and The
Entertainer and Lennon and McCartney's
Fool on the Hill. These have
been arranged for solo guitar.
As a prominent figure
of the guitar, Brouwer is often in demand
as a Jury member at Guitar competitions
all over the world. These often require
him to conduct masterclasses and performance
workshops. For the 1979 Esztergom Guitar
competition in Hungary, Brouwer wrote
and conducted Blue Skies and Smile,
a piece performed under the dome of
the Basilica by the Bálint Bakfark
guitar orchestra comprising 200 guitarists;
a recording of which was broadcast by
the BBC. Brouwer is organiser of the
Havana International Guitar Festival
and Competition, which is held every
two years, and is still its Director.
So far we have only
considered Leo Brouwer's association
with the guitar, but his achievements
in music go much further. He is an accomplished
composer for varied media including
chamber and choral works, a modern ballet,
even pieces for wind band as well as
many orchestral works. He has over 60
film scores to his credit, these through
involvement in the Cinema Industry in
Cuba where he was Director of the Music
Department of the Cinema Institute (1961)
and Musical Adviser to the National
Radio and TV company of Havana, as well
as the Professor of Composition in the
Music Conservatory.
As if all this were
not enough, Brouwer is a respected conductor
working with some of the best orchestras
across the world including Philharmonic
Orchestra of Berlin, The National Orchestra
of Scotland, the Langham Chamber Orchestra
and the BBC Concert Orchestra. A recommended
example is Brouwer conducting his own
Concerto Elegiaco with Julian
Bream and the RCA Victor Chamber Orchestra:
RCA 09026 616052 (Julian Bream Edition
Volume 22).
I am sure that Leo Brouwer
will be at the forefront of not only
guitar composition, but all aspects
of music for a long time to come.
SELECTED GUITAR WORKS
If you are able to
help in completing this information
please 
| An idea (passacaglia for Eli)
(Kessner M.R.) (1999) |
Chester Music CH 64295 |
| Cancion de Cuna |
|
| Canticum (1968) |
GA 424 |
| La ciudad de las mil cuerdas
for large guitar ensemble |
DY |
| Concerto No.1 for Guitar and
Orchestra |
ESC 8191 |
| Concerto No.2 for Guitar and
Orchestra.(de Lieja) (1981) |
ESC |
| Concerto No.3 for Guitar and
Orchestra. (Elegiaco)(1986) |
ESC 8673 |
| Concerto No.4 for Guitar and
Orchestra. (de Toronto)(1987) |
SGC, DY |
| ConcertoNo.5 for Guitar and
Orchestra. (deHelsinki) (1991-92) |
- |
|
Concerto No.6 (de volos) for
Guitar and Orchestra (1997)
Concerto No.7 (La Habana) (1998)
Concerto No.8 (Cantata de Perugia)
(1999)
Concerto No.9 (de Benicassim)
(2002)
Concerto No.10 (Book of
Signs)(unknown) *
* Double concerto for two guitars
|
|
| Cuban Landscape with Bells |
SGC |
| Cuban Landscape with Rain |
SGC, DY |
| Danza Caracteristica (1957) |
GA422 |
| Dos Canciones for voice and guitar |
DY |
| "Dos temas populares Cubanos"
Max Eshing 8182 (1978). |
|
| Elogio de la Danza (1964) |
GA 425 |
| El Decameron Negro (1981) |
EMT 1704 |
| Etudes Simples (4 volumes)
No.1-20 |
ESC 7997, 7998, 8494, 8495 |
| Fuga No.1 (1959) |
ESC 7995 |
| Hika "In Memorium Toru Takemitsu"(1996) |
- |
| La Espiral Eterna |
GA 423 |
| Micropiezas. (Duet) - Parabola |
ESC 8198 |
| Ojos Brujos |
|
| Paisaje cubano con tristeza
(1999) |
DY |
| Piece Without Title |
ESC 8000 |
| Piece Without Title Nos.2&3 |
ESC 8452 |
| Preludio (1956) |
ESC 7996 |
| Preludios Epigramaticos (1981-83) |
|
| Rito de los Orishas for solo
guitar (1993) written
for Alvaro Pierri |
DY |
| Sonata (1990) |
Opera Tres |
| Suite in D |
|
| Tarantos (1974) |
ESC 8293 |
| Toccata for 4 or more guitars |
DY |
| Tres Apuntes (1959) |
GA426 |
| Two Popular Cuban Airs: Guajira
Criolla, Zapateado |
ESC 7999 |
Two Popular Cuban Themes: Cancion
de Cuna, Ojos Brujos
UN DIA DE NOVIEMBRE (One Day
In November) for Solo Guitar,
1968 (Now published by Chester Music)
|
ESC 8182
|
| Variations on a Theme of Django
Reinhard. |
EMT 1743 |
| Rito de los Orishas: Exordium-conjuro,
Danza de las diosas negras for solo
guitar (1993) |
|
|
|
| Canciones remotas for string
orchestra |
DY |
|
I would like
to thank Henk_Jan de Jong who
has supplied details of the following
additional works
Guitar works:
- Un dia de Noviembre (for guitar)
- Concierto No. 7 'La Habana'
(for guitar and orchestra)
- Concierto No. 8 'Concerto Cantata
de Perugia' (for guitar, SATB
and orchestra)
Other pieces:
- Sonata for Solo Cello
- String Quartet No. 3
- La Vida Misma (for piano, violin,
cello, percussion)
- Balada (for flute and strings)
- Cancion de Gesta (for chamber
orchestra)
- Canciones Amatorios (for unaccomanied
SATB)
...and to Radha who added "Trios
Pieces Latino-Americaines ".
This includes the piece "
Danza del Altiplano".
...and to Arnold Yzaguirre
who supplied the following
Rito de los orishas
(GIF)
( to
order)
solo guitar
DO 163 - 15 min., level 4,
17,00$
A new solo piece written for
Alvaro Pierri. Two sections:
Exordium - Conjuro and Danza
de las diosas negras. A wonderful
addition to the repertoire.
Paisaje cubano con tristeza
(GIF)
( to
order)
solo guitar
DO 287 - 6 min. level
3, 10,00$
The latest solo piece by Leo
Brouwer, very accessable
Tríptico (GIF)
( to
order)
2 guitars
DO 342 - (SP) level 4, 25,00$
Cuban Landscape with Rain
(PDF) (MP3)
( to
order)
4 guitars
DO 92 - (SP) 7 min., level
2-3, 14,00$
This interesting work by the
famous Cuban composer uses
minimalist techniques. Although
it is not difficult it demands
a very careful interpretation.
Toccata (GIF)
(MP3)
( to
order)
4 guitars
DO 174 - (SP) 3 min., level
3, 15,00$
A virtuosic little encore
piece either for a quartet
or guitar ensemble.
Acerca del cielo (GIF)
(MP3)
( to
order)
4 guitars
DO 350 - (SP) level 3-4, 27,00$
Originally written for a large
ensemble (DO 142A, 24 guitars
and DO 142, 8 guitars), this
is also a very effective piece
for 4 guitars.
Canciones remotas (GIF)
( to
order)
4 guitars
DO 432 - (SP) 39 p., level
3-4, 33,00$
Acerca del cielo, el aire
y la sonrisa (PDF)
( to
order)
guitar ensemble
DO 142 - (S, 8 P) 10 min.,
level 3-4, 29,00$
Version for 8 guitars of the
work written for the Esztergom
Festival in Hungary. Brouwer
makes skillful use of all
of the tonal colors of the
guitar.
Acerca del cielo, el aire
y la sonrisa (GIF)
( to
order)
guitar ensemble
DO 142A - (S, 24 P) 10 min.,
level 3-4, 60,00$
Original version, for large
ensemble (minimum 24 players).
Toronto Concerto (MP3)
( to
order)
concerto
DO 100 - (score) 34 min.,
level 4, 95,00$
(Orchestra parts for hire)
DO 100A - (guitar part) 18,00$
This superb concerto was commissioned
by the Guitar Society of Toronto
where it was first performed
on June 26th, 1987 during
the International Guitar Festival.
John Williams was the soloist
and the orchestra was conducted
by Leo Brouwer.
Toronto Concerto (GIF)
( to
order)
concerto
(piano reduction and guitar
part)
DO 228 - (SP) level 4, 68,00$
Dos Canciones (PDF)
( to
order)
voice and guitar
DO 141 - level 2-3, 12,00$
|
|
| PUBLISHERS |
|
| EMT ………………………Editions
Musicales Transatlantiques. |
|
| ESC ………………………Editions
Max Eschig. |
|
| GA ……………………...
…Guitar Archives-Schott.
|
|
| SGC ………………………Spanish
Guitar Centre. (Nottingham)
DY ... ... ... ...
... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Doberman-Yppan
|
|
|
|
| RECOMMENDED RECORDINGS
|
|
| Should
you find the details of
any compact discs you
might wish to buy we suggest
you try this
link. |
|
|
|
| Alvaro Pierri plays Brouwer
- |
Analekta AN2 875 2 CD |
| Brouwer guitar concertos - |
Ricardo Cobo - Essay CD1040 |
| Guitar Concerto Elegiaco.
- |
Julian Bream Edition Vol 22
RCA 09026 616052 |
| The Black Decameron - |
John Williams -
Sony Classical SK 61373 |
Naxos is currently in the process of
recording all Leo Brouwer's guitar works.
Volume 1. 8553630. Played by Ricardo
Cobo is already available and should
be explored by every serious guitar
student.
Leo Brouwer
Music for Guitar Vol 1:Danza caracteristica,
Estudios Sencillos, Preludio, Fuga No.
1, (3) Piezas sin titulo, (2) aires
populares cubanos, (3) Apuntes, Canción
de cuna, 'Berceuse', Ojos brujos, Elogio
de la Danza. Ricardo Cobo Naxos 8.553630
Leo BROUWER Music
for Guitar Vol. 2 El Decamerón
Negro Preludios Epigramáticos
Canticum
La Espiral eternal Parabola Tarantos
Variations on a Theme of Django Reinhardt
Paisaje cubano con tristeza Elena Papandreou
– Guitar NAXOS 8.554553 [73:13]
Superbudget review
Leo BROUWER Music
for Guitar Vol. 3 Sonata. Three Latin
American Pieces. Hika. Suite No.2. An
Idea - Passacaglia for Eli. Paisaje
Cubano con campanas. Rito de los Orishas.
Un dia de Noviembre.Graham Anthony Devine
Naxos 8.554195
review
RARA: Leo Brouwer
Cornelius CARDEW (1936-1981) 1.
Material Hans Werner HENZE (b.1926)
2. Memories (from "Cimarron")
Leo BROUWER (b.1939) 3. Exaedros I Sylvano
BUSSOTTI b.1931) 4. Rara (eco sierologico)
Maurice OHANA (1914-1992) 5. Si le jour
parait Josep Maria Mestres QUADRENY
(b.1929) 6. Perludi para guitarra Girolamo
ARRIGO (b.1930) 7. Serenata per chitarra
Leo BROUWER (b.1939) 8. La espiral eternal
Cristobal HALFFTER m(b.1930) 9. Codex
I Juan BLANCO (b.1919) 10. Contrapunto
Esacial III-c Leo Brouwer –
Guitar DG 471 589-2 [76:05]
Review
GUITAR RECITAL JOAQUIN
RODRIGO En Los Trigales JOAQUIN CLERCH
Guitarresca DARIUS MILHAUD Segoviana
LEO BROUWER Sonata, Hika TORU
TAKEMITSU Folios, Equinox FLORES CHAVIANO
Sonata, Evocacion, Boceto FRANCISCO
TÁRREGA Preludio No.2, Preludio
No.5 Ricardo Gallén - Guitar
Naxos 8.554832 Review
FROM YESTERDAY TO PENNY LANE LENNON
& McCARTNEY 1. Norwegian Wood
2. In My Life 3. Can't Buy Me Love 4.
The Long And Winding Road 5. I Will
6. Come Together*7. I Want To Hold Your
Hand* 8. Help!* GEORGE MARTIN 9-11 Three
American Sketches Arranged for guitar
and strings LEO BROUWER From Yesterday
to Penny Lane. 7 Songs after the
Beatles arranged for guitar and strings
12. She's Leaving Home 13. A Ticket
To Ride 14. Here, There And Everywhere
15. Yesterday 16. Got To Get You Into
My Life 17. Eleanor Rigby 18. Penny
Lane GORAN SOLLSCHER - Guitar PER ARNE
GLORVIGEN - Bandoneon* Members of the
Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra/Mats Rondin
DG 459 692-2 Review
"Almost a Song"
la guitare contemporaine Hans Werner
HENZE (b.1926) Drei Tentos (1958) Leo
BROUWER (b.1939) Preludios Epigrammaticos
(1981) Olivier CHASSAIN (b.1957) Étoiles
Toru TAKEMITSU (1936-1996) All in Twilight
Georges DELERUE (1926-1992) Graphic
Stephen DODGSON (b.1924) Fantasy Divisions
Antonio RUIZ-PIPÓ Otoñales
(1994) Edith LEJET Almost a Song Olivier
Chassain (guitar) Pierre-Henri Xuereb
(viola) Recorded at Studio Corydalis,
Limoges, France, 1997 DDD METRONOME
MET CD 1021 [69:00] Review
INSPIRACIÓN
JOHANNES TONIO KREUSCH Inspiracion
(Preludio) AGUSTIN BARRIOS- MANGORE
Una Limosna por el Amor de Dios Vals
No.3 Las Abejas La Catedral Preludio
Saudade) Andante religioso Allegro solemne
FRANCISCO TARREGA Capricho Arabe Maria
ISAAC ALBENIZ Asturias JOAQUIN RODRIGO
Invocacion y Danza LEO BROUWER Danza
Caracteristica, Elogio de la Danza,
Lento, Obstinato, Paisaje Cubano con
Campagnas, Danza del Altiplano JOHANNES
TONIO KREUSCH Inspiracion (Conclusio)
Johannes Tonio Kreusch (guitar)
ARTE NOVA 74321 86937 2 [77:56] Review
to
order
See also Rodolfo
Betancourt's Brouwer page
Andy Daly's page on Fernando
Sor Classical
Guitar