'El Decameron Negro' of Afro-Cuban Composer Leo Brouwer Featured at Fairbanks Recital

[The Black Decameron [El Decameron Negro]; John Williams, guitar; London Sinfonietta; Steven Mercurio, Conductor; Sony 63173 (1998)]

NewsMiner.com
Guitarist finds bliss in classical, combines varied influences

By Glenn BurnSilver

Published Friday, April 24, 2009

“Fairbanks — Classical guitarist Jason Vieaux has no pretensions about his place in classical music circles. He knows in order to maintain his place in the upper echelon of his craft he needs to practice frequently, while also pushing himself with challenging works.” “Vieaux comes to Fairbanks for two performances, a solo recital April 30, and a performance with the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra Sunday, May 3.”

“Following a brief intermission, Vieaux will continue in similar vein with 'El Decameron Negro' by Afro-Cuban composer Leo Brouwer. This piece has three movements: El Arpa del Guerrero (The Warrior’s Harp); La Huida de los Amantes por el Valle de los Ecos (The Flight of the Lovers Through The Valley of Echoes); and Balada del Doncella Enamorada (Ballad of the Loving Maiden), and represents Brouwer’s classical, Afro-Cuban, jazz and avant-garde influences. It is 17 'challenging' minutes long.” [Leo Brouwer (b. 1939) is profiled at AfriClassical.com]