DESCRIPTION:
El Decameron Negro (1981)

Brouwer’s El decameron Negro was written for the Guitarist Sharon Isbin. Written in 1981 in what is considered by many to be the third periodic style of the composer. Brouwer refers to this period of his music as his National hyper romantic style. Based on a book of the same name the anthropologist Leon Frobenic tells the story of an African Warrior who yearns to be a musician and his journey. Brouwer’s music captures the mood of the warrior, combining tension and tranquillity and an almost youthful excitement in each of the three movements.

The opening movement The Harp Of the Warrior opens the piece with a bold motif, which re-occurs throughout and contrasts with the lyrical sections of the piece, which allude to the romantic nature of the warrior. The unusual time signature and range of pitches covered exploit the full use of the guitar’s tonal palate and the feeling of pace creates a sense of energy and excitement.

The second movement again begins with a striking musical statement that evolves into a gallop that is reminiscent of the warrior running. The theme of echoes follow and it is easy to imagine the warrior calling to someone. Brouwer’s idiomatic use of the Guitar here is what gives this movement its pace enabling the Guitarist to emulate the Valley Of Echoes that is the title of the movement. The romanticism of the piece can be felt in the composer’s choice of harmonies and the lyrical use of the Guitar. Brouwer has composed many pieces for the Guitar and he clearly knows how to exploit the strengths of the instrument. The rapid note sequences across the strings again give the work both pace and vigour.

The third and final movement is a ballad and much of the composer’s native homeland can be felt in the rhythmic gestures of the opening motif. Again the contrast with the opening theme and the fast pace and rhythmic sense of three against four gives the piece its distinctly Cuban feel. Despite the contrasting fast paced sections which again are reminiscent of the sections of the first movement, the piece ends on the beautiful opening theme completing this magical piece and in turn the fate of the warrior and his lover.