The music of the Cuban composer Leo Brouwer may be traced through three developmental stages of compositional style: self-taught (combining traditional classical forms with Cuban inspiration), contemporary (exploring modern techniques of various kinds) and what Brouwer himself calls “national Hyper-Romanticism” (a return to Afro-Cuban roots coupled with elements of traditional technique and of minimalism). This wide variety of styles is clearly in evidence throughout this recording. The Sonata pays explicit tribute to Beethoven, Scriabin and Pasquini, the Three Latin American Pieces are based on songs from South America, including one by Astor Piazzolla, while Hika takes its title from a piece by fellow composer and friend Toru Takemitsu, and is dedicated to his memory.