Cuban composer Leo Brouwer has been strongly identified with the guitar throughout his career. While his style often divulged folk influences—especially early in his career—it was generally individual, even though Afro-Cuban elements still seeped into it. Probably inspired by Canción de Cuna (Cradle Song) by Federico Garcia Lorca (1898-1936), Spanish poet and dramatist, this Berceuse has a lullaby-like manner in its gentle, serene theme.

It opens with a pizzicato rhythmic idea, after which a simple but lovely theme is introduced, really a more developed version of the rhythmic motif. It is somewhat restricted in its range and has a rocking, soothing character in its unhurried gait. The opening material returns and, in fact, alternates with the main theme throughout. A brief second subject, which begins with a lively ascending run, appears twice to offer imaginative contrast while not actually breaking the dreamy mood. The piece ends quietly with the gentle rhythmic motif having the last say. Lasting nearly four minutes, this beautiful work must be counted as at least a minor masterpiece in the guitar literature.

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