Tango originated as popular folk music in Argentina, influenced by European styles, and evolved into a sophisticated art form.
Instruments
The bandoneón, a key instrument in tango, is a German invention, and the bandoneon played on this album is a 1909 Alfred Arnold model from the Ore Mountain region.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Tango texts often focus on themes of loss, nostalgia, and unrequited love, though some milongas (a faster tango style) have humorous lyrics.
Interpretation
Cuarteto SolTango aims for an orchestral sound with only four musicians, requiring each player to take on multiple roles, such as the cellist covering both double bass and second violin parts.
Compositional Technique
From the 1930s, tango composers began to precisely notate their music, but with the understanding that performers would apply stylistic tricks like rhythmic shifts and 'gritty' sounds not explicitly written.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded in October and November 2014 at the Deutschlandfunk Kammermusiksaal in Cologne, Germany.
Performer Biography
Cuarteto SolTango, founded in 2008, has performed at international festivals like Schleswig-Holstein Musikfestival and Grachtenfestival Amsterdam, and collaborated with world-famous tango dance pairs.
