Beyond Tango
“his group maintains the essence of the new tango which translates structural experiments into mood swings: astringent to sultry, gruff to tender, agitated to buoyant”
– The New York Times
“the most successful blend of modern jazz and tango I’ve ever yet heard”
– Audiophile Audition
“there’s no question that Ziegler takes the tango to levels of sophistication and refinement probably undreamed of by Piazzolla”
– Chicago Tribune
The Music of Pablo Ziegler
Tango is an echo of the streets of Buenos Aires. It emerged from the underworld of those dark back streets in the working-class port towns, as a universal idiom of expression brought to Argentina at the end of the 19th century by European immigrants, and providing the musical backdrop for local brothels visited by hoodlums. Eventually, tango was brought to the elite salons of Paris and enjoyed wide popularity in capitals all over the world. From being primarily associated with dance, it evolved through the years into a musical idiom of its own, and through the genius of Astor Piazzolla ascended to the concert stage. The process of evolution continues and Pablo Ziegler, pianist for Piazzolla for ten years, leads the charge. The program Beyond Tango was conceived by Ziegler for the Miami International Piano Festival and we are pleased to now offer this popular program for touring.
...fusing tango and Latin rhythms, beautiful melodic passages and virtuosic improvisation.
While Pablo Ziegler is known to the jazz world through his touring to venues such as the Bimhuis in Amsterdam and his annual performances at the Jazz Standard in New York City, this program focuses on his classical music and involves different instrumentation. For example, the electric guitar is now replaced by cello. The evening progresses from piano duo, through trio, quartet, quintet and finally large chamber ensemble playing mostly the compositions of Pablo Ziegler, but including some of his own arrangements of the Piazzolla 2-piano pieces which Pablo had recorded with Emanuel Ax for Sony Classical, produced by Ettore Strata.
The evening comprises representative tunes from each of Mr. Ziegler’s eight recordings – as he says, “the ones I really love.” The result is an emotional portrait, fusing tango and Latin rhythms, beautiful melodic passages and virtuosic improvisation.
Instrumentation: 2 pianos, bandoneon, cello, bass, two violins, viola, bassoon, flute, clarinet and classical percussion.