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.
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