WorldView Episode 04: Leo Brouwer
Leo Brouwer (1939—) has written scores for over one hundred films, conducted several major orchestras, and helped define numerous modern musical movements. He was born in Havana, the grandson of well-known Cuban pianist, teacher, and composer Ernestina Lecuona. He debuted at age 17 as a classical guitarist and soon began composing etudes, chamber works, and dances for a variety of instruments. After studying at Julliard, Brouwer returned to Cuba in 1961 to direct the music department of the Cinema Institute of Cuba. There he composed scores for films such as Lucía and Un Día de Noviembre; however, Brouwer’s most famous soundtrack is featured in the 1992 hit Mexican film Like Water Like Chocolate. More recently, Brouwer has conducted the Berlin Philharmonic, the BBC Concert Orchestra, and the Cordoba Orchestra in Spain, among other groups.
Much of Brouwer’s early music was heavily influenced by the rhythms of Cuba, though he would later shift towards Nueva Trova and aleatoric compositions. Nueva Trova is an ongoing stylistic movement in Cuba that emerged shortly after the Cuban Revolution of 1959. It combines traditional styles with politicized lyrics discussing injustice, racism, and colonialism. The style began to fade during the fall of the Soviet Union, but influences can still be found in modern compositions.
Another style that defined Leo Brouwer’s later works is known as “aleatoric composition,” in which the composer leaves much of the work up to the interpretation of its performers. A basic lead sheet is given to the musician and improvisation is used to flesh out the harmonies. Aleatoric pieces can also be designed by chance; some composers will use die or random number combinations to dictate melodies. In a 2013 interview with Classical Guitar Magazine, Brouwer said of his work ,“Composition is not calligraphy, but sound. Notation ought not be confused with the actual creation of music. I compose ideas, not themes. I can change musical ideas but I cannot alter themes. Every piece should have a magical moment. This helps to breathe the music. It is not easy.”
Episode four of WorldView features Brouwer’s 1973 piece Parabola, performed by Robby Faverey. The work is dedicated to Brazilian guitarist Turibio Santos and was written during Brouwer’s aleatoric composition phase.
WorldView Episode Four Playlist:
Leoš JANÁČEK (1854-1928), "Sinfonietta, Op.60", {Philharmonia Orchestra, Simon Rattle (cond)} - EMI Classics
Leo BROUWER (1939-), “Parabola”, {Robby Faverey} - Babel
Sergei RACHMANINOFF (1873-1943), “Suite No. 1 for 2 Pianos, Op. 5”, {Emanuel Ax, Yefim Bronfman} - Sony Classical
Krzysztof PENDERECKI (1933-2020), “Cadenza for Viola Solo”, {Jurgen Weber} - cpo
WorldView is a classical music radio show featuring composers from everywhere in the world - except Western Europe. Tune in to hear works by lesser-known artists such as Gabriela Montero and Bright Sheng, and widen your knowledge of classical music. Hinke Younger hosts each week’s episode of WorldView on Mondays at 9AM and again at 6PM on Charlottesvilleclassical.org.