Search - Margaret Brouwer, Gerard Schwarz, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra :: Margaret Brouwer: Aurolucent Circles; Mandala; Sizzle

Wow!

Virginia Lewis | 08/31/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a treat! Lately I've been trying to collect some recordings of music by women composers and learned of this one. Brouwer has an enviable command of a wide range of orchestration and composition techniques. She writes in a mixture of idioms both modern and somehow protypically American. "Mandala" is reminiscent of Hovhannes' modal work, "Remembrances" reminds me ever so slightly of similar tone poems by Diamond and Barber. I love all the music on this disc, but I must confess that "Remembrances" is my personal favorite. Written upon the death of a colleague, this piece strikes a profound emotional chord. Brouwer's work is tonal, poetic, and full of energy. The performances are also outstanding. Evelyn Glennie of course is brilliant. I read of Brouwer's awards and credentials and was astonished to see how highly regarded she is - and I had not even heard of her before seeing an ad for this CD on a brochure I found inside a CD of Tower's work I'd purchased some months ago. If you enjoy modern, tonal music, beautifully orchestrated and performed, and evincing an unmistakable American essence, then you will enjoy this CD. What a bargain at the Naxos price. I recommend this highly!!!"