Review: Margaret Brouwer – Rhapsodies – Marin Alsop

Naxos’ American Classics Series adds another compelling chapter with five world premieres by contemporary composer Margaret Brouwer. In her program notes, Brouwer details how these works span a period of two and a half decades and draw from eclectic influences: earlier opuses like Pluto (1999) are borne out of an era of dark personal challenges, while a more recent output, The Art of Sailing at Dawn (2020), derives its inspiration from contemporary literature.

Pluto (track 7), so named after the god of the underworld, shows a composer unafraid to channel honest (and jarring) emotion through thoughtfully chosen instruments and textures. There are at least 4 types of percussion present early on, each adding dimension and tension. The brass fanfares, while jarring, are perfect here as an embodiment of what Brouwer describes as a passionate, violent, and belligerent deity.

The first four minutes of the work leave us with no respite from an unrelenting atmosphere of dread, and just as we might be reaching our breaking point, a beautiful lyrical section arrives. However, the way the strings play it, this is not music to be mistaken as comfort; the transparent rustles are rife with a sense of unease, and an element of sinister urgency always seems to be lurking in the background. 

Indeed, the third and final section is an intense eruption and revisitation of the tumult that had riveted our attention earlier. Alsop and her players should be applauded for maintaining their energy and attention through an artistically demanding work, without ever sacrificing musicality.

Symphony No. 1 (“Lake Voices”, track 5) was completed in 1997 and is Brouwer’s commentary on her own past. Brouwer’s upbringing near the Great Lakes shapes her portrayal of the lakes, particularly their vibrant energy. While some harmonic language is reminiscent of Debussy, the texture certainly is not: these are thick, vertical textures perhaps meant to show the power and impressive presence of the water. Even in the “lighter” moments, there is a sharp, brilliant quality to the sonic profile which Brouwer seems to have intended.

The ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra players do a fabulous job of capturing the almost overwhelming brightness of sound. The second movement is rooted in Brouwer’s cultural background as Dutch-American; the melodic fabric is based upon what she describes as a “Dutch hymn-like melody.” The modality of this melody serves as an open tonal backdrop to striking passages; One that will grab the listener’s attention is heard at 1’13”: the abrupt shift in instruments and color proves both surprising and refreshing. Suspense and mystery prove not too far behind, as what follows is a rather thick mix of upper-register dissonances.

The final movement, “Dance”, is delightful with its infectious percussion ostinato and playful dialogue between the winds and strings. But as with the other works, Brouwer is sure to include moments of aggressive intensity.

Beautiful programmatic language comes through in The Art of Sailing at Dawn, which opens the album. Even within a highly atmospheric orchestral work, the composer can still derive intrigue through a combination of conventional and adventurous writing. The opening flute calls are idyllic enough, but it is the strings’ glissandi (using harmonics) which add that extra element of curious eeriness.

The work also garners its momentum from Brouwer’s use of rich tonal colors: In the grandest moments, the key changes quickly and dramatically. But the most beautiful part might be the buildup to the A major chord that everyone expects at 3’09”. The ORF Orchestra’s strings play the high C sharp perfectly, creating a moment of tension, release, and surprise all at once.

This is a wonderful collection of works from Brouwer: her compositional style is not necessarily suited to those looking for a gentle listening experience, but it is her bold and uncompromising voice that proves most exciting. Alsop and the ORF ensemble do these works absolute justice in these readings. Highly recommended.

Cover image: Ken Blaze

Margaret Brouwer – Rhapsodies
The Art of Sailing at Dawn (2020)
Rhapsody, Concerto for Orchestra (2009, rev. 2021)
Symphony No. 1 “Lake Voices” (1997)
Path at Sunrise, Masses of Flowers (2010)
Pluto (1997) (version for orchestra)
ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra
Marin Alsop – Conductor

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