CD Review (The Straits Times, March 2019)

SALVADOR BROTONS

Complete Works for Flute Vols.2 & 3

ROBERTO ALVAREZ, Flute et al

Vol.2  Centaur 3555 / ****1/2

Vol.3  Centaur 3556 / *****

The concluding two volumes of flute music by Catalan composer-conductor Salvador Brotons (born 1959) feature all his wind music which include the flute. His music is tonal but dissonant in parts, technically challenging and creatively varied in style and feel. 

These performances by local professional musicians led by Singapore Symphony Orchestra flautist Roberto Alvarez are very accomplished and well recorded in the studio of Yong Siew Toh Conservatory.

Volume 2 delights in the ensemble work of mostly woodwind quintets (Emphasis Op.9, Sax-Wind Quintet Op.15, Theme, Variations & Coda Op.29 and Essentiae Vitae Op.80), which reveal a vibrant and gritty tonal palette. Unusually scored is Virtus Op.53, for flute, string trio and piano which delights in piquant timbres and harmonies. And there is a debt to late Debussy in Ad Infinitum Op.13 for flute, viola and harp, although the wistful and haunting music has a totally different feel.

The flute comes to its own in Volume 3, opening with Giravolts (or Swirling Op.123, for solo flute), with its sinuous opening partly influenced by Debussy’s iconic solo Syrinx. More flautists join Alvarez, for Daulos (Op.11, for duet), Miniatures (Op.16, for flute trio), until one finally reaches the Flute Suite Op.41 for a grand choir of 10 flutes. This progression in ensemble is both fascinating and exhilarating. 

The major work is Prada 1950 for flute, clarinet and string quintet, a tribute to Catalan cello legend Pablo Casals who had exiled himself to Prades (France) during years of fascist rule in Spain by General Franco. The music is fraught with angst and nostalgia, but ultimately resolves in an air of triumph and hope.