The Book Of Imaginary Beings: The Music Of Leo Brouwer For Two Guitars
Music Masters, 2021
9/10
Listen to The Book Of Imaginary Beings: The Music Of Leo Brouwer For Two Guitars
The premiere recording of Leo Brouwer’s new guitar duet, this new effort is dedicated to the works by the Newman & Oltman Guitar Duo, and contains a four movement piece inspired by Jorge Luis Borges’ book, The Book Of Imaginary Beings. Additionally, a pair of Lennon/McCartney songs are included, as is Cuban folk music.
Beatlerianas starts the listen with the fluid, flowing and hypnotic interpretation of “The Fool On The Hill”, and “She’s Leaving Home” follows, where a complicated progression unfolds with much grace and playfulness in the pair’s very capable hands.
The middle tracks, from Música Incidental Campesina, brings mystery and warmth to “Prelude”, as well as the sunny melodies of “Interludio”. The appropriately titled “Final” ends this portion of the listen with swift, precise guitar acrobatics as the duo blend their respective talents alongside much beauty.
El Libro De Los Seres Imaginarios (The Book Of Imaginary Beings)- Duo Concertante finishes the listen, and displays the fascinating string manipulation of the dreamy “El Unicornio (The Unicorn)”, while “El Minotauro (The Dinosaur)” presents a firm climate of very deliberate, dynamic and profoundly skilled playing. “La Gorgona y la Mantícora (The Gorgon And The Manticore)” rounds out the listen, and makes a lasting impression where the two pull off a dizzying performance of energetic, tense and even orchestral influences.
Michael Newman and Laura Oltman illuminate Bouwer’s inimitable vision with incredible strength and poise, and their diverse background in classical, baroque and Latin sounds helps makes this a must for those who appreciate the guitar and recognize its boundless possibilities.
Travels well with: JoAnn Falletta And The Buffalo Philharmonic- The Four Seasons; Florent Schmitt- La Tragédie de Salomé