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'To Be Useful Is Something Incredible': Leo Brouwer Reflects On His Legacy

Brouwer, one of Latin America's most renowned classical composers, sees music as a form of service. "When [humans] give ... they're doing one of the most beautiful things in life," he says.
Leo Brouwer went from being an orphan in Cuba to one of the most prolific Latin American composers alive today.

Leo Brouwer is considered one of the most important living figures of classical music in Latin America. His works are played regularly in concert halls around the world, and he's scored more than 50 films. But at the age of 78, Brouwer finds it hard to reflect on his legacy. He's just grateful that people are moved by his music.

"To be useful is something incredible, because you're at the service of the world," Brouwer says ... they're doing one of the most beautiful things in life ... Perhaps my roots in solitude, of being an orphan — it forces me to these reflections."

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