April 23 Tribute in NYC for Afro-Cuban Composer & Guitarist Leo Brouwer, Born March 1, 1939

[Leo Brouwer]

The Afro-Cuban classical guitarist, conductor and composer Leo Brouwer is profiled at AfriClassical.com. His publisher is Chester Novello, http://www.chesternovello.com. Leo Brouwer was named Juan Leovigildo Brouwer when he came into the world in Havana, Cuba on March 1, 1939. His enormous influence on guitar music in particular and classical music in general is demonstrated by more than a hundred recordings on which he has played, composed or conducted.

Brouwer's compositions reflect classical, Afro-Cuban, jazz and avant-garde influences. The legendary Brazilian guitarist Odair Assad is receiving critical acclaim for his performances of Sonata del Caminante, which was composed by Leo Brouwer for Assad's first solo recording on GHA Records. The composer's many film scores, including Like Water for Chocolate, have brought his music to the attention of a huge audience around the world. Among the perennial audience favorites are Leo Brouwer's arrangements of Beatles tunes for guitar.

Leo Brouwer is one of the most visible figures in classical music. Every day brings stories of new performances, recordings, festivals and even percussion experiments involving his music for guitar and other instruments. To give just one example, the Office of Leo Brouwer organized FestivaLeoBrouwer.com on Feb. 19, 2011 in which the acclaimed instrumentalist Edin Karamazov performed works of J.S. Bach and Leo Brouwer in a basilica in Havana.

The renowned 92nd Street Y of New York City has announced plans for a tribute to Leo Brouwer on April 23, 2011:

“Saturday, April 23, 2011, 8pm

“Benjamin Verdery, artistic director

Additional artists to be announced

“The series ends with a succession of guitarists saluting the beloved Cuban composer/guitarist Leo Brouwer (b. 1939). His works have become standards and some were written specifically for tonight's artists, making this a particularly personal and joyous celebration.

“Pre-concert talk at 7 pm with Benjamin Verdery of Yale University. Subscribe and Save! This event can also be purchased as part of the following subscription(s): Art of the Guitar-Series Subscription.”