Search - Leo Brouwer :: Like Water for Chocolate

A Savory Soundtrack

Amaranth | Northern California | 11/06/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Laura Esquivel's "Like Water for Chocolate" was a bestseller of the '90s,with its spicy blend of authentic Mexican recipes,romance,and magical realism. She combined the mystique of "The Joy of Cooking" with a Harlequin. When the movie version was released,Cuban guitarist Leo Brower gave it a soundtrack as delicious as the novel.



Leo Brower is more well-known for his guitar etudes than this single soundtrack of his;it stands the test of time,and outshines Celine Dion's "Titanic" love song. His "Tita's Theme" is languid and melancholy,like the heroine. The "Tita and Pedro's Love Theme" grows with the story itself,beginning with their fateful love at first sight and ending with their passionate reunion in death. The delicious aphrodisiac Quail in Rose Petal Sauce gets its own theme (unfortunately,the chiles in walnut sauce,the Chabela wedding cake&the champandongo don't) Brower intergrates period music with the soundtrack,such as "Jesusita in Chihuahua" and "Ojos de Juventud",songs also mentioned in the novel. The music complements the novel,like a chilled margarita with a spicy mole.



"Like Water for Chocolate" is delicious music worth savoring!"