Brouwer's style has undergone various changes over the years.The works written in the period 1955-62 are strongly influenced by Afro- Cuban music, and are shaped into classical forms. He then became attracted to the European avant-garde, adopting its main features: free structures, short melodic elements, syncopated rhythms, aleatory techniques and abrupt dynamic contrasts. In the late 1970s Brouwer changed direction again and started to search for a more communicative and expressive musical language. This led to a third phase, described by the composer as "new simplicity", and from the 1980s onward he returned to traditional forms, including the sonata and the variation, and wrote works which combine strong lyricism with minimalist elements. 

However the main characteristic of all his music, irrespective of the period in which it was written, is a very individual sound quality which transcends the musical forms adopted and distinguishes him from all the other guitar composers of the second half of the 20th century. 

The Quintet for Guitar and String Quartet, in three movements, was written in 1957, during the first period: it was however published in 1989, and, interestingly, it seems to anticipate elements of the other two creative phases. It is a work of classical balance and lyricism, full of rhythmical energy and warm colours. 

RECOMMENDED CD. The only CD of this Quintet that I know of is on the Spanish label "Opera tres", with guitarist Miguel Trápaga and the Moscow String Quartet. The CD, which also includes several interesting works for solo guitar, is in my experience not always in stock in the shops. It can be ordered from Ashley Mark Publishing Company, either by telephone: +44 (0) 191 414 9000, or on line through their web site: www.FretsOnly.com This site offers a very extensive catalogue of guitar music on disc, and in my experience it gives a fast and reliable service. Luciano Iorio 

Mauro Giuliani (1781-1829) Giuliani belongs to the Italian tradition of the virtuoso instrumentalist-composer which includes Boccherini, Geminiani, Giardini, Paganini, Tartini, Viotti and many others. In 18th and 19th century Italy there was little interest in music other than opera, and many musicians had to go abroad to make a living. In 1806 Giuliani settled in Vienna, where he had enormous success as both guitarist and composer. He wrote exclusively for his instrument, producing over 200 works, which include concertos and pieces for solo guitar as well as chamber music. Some of these works have never been published. 

The Gran Quintetto Op.65 is a bravura work for the guitar, and combines the Viennese galant and classical style with the Italian "bel canto". A slow introduction for strings only, marked Grave, is followed by a set of Variations on the theme "Nel cor più non mi sento" from Paisiello's opera "La Molinara", the same theme which Paganini uses a few years later in a set of variations for solo violin. The work concludes with a brilliant "Polonaise", a musical form very fashionable at that time in Vienna's salons. 
 

Luciano Iorio