Astoria aims to preserve the rhythmic and melodic enchantment of Piazzolla's original works while bringing them into the concert hall, fulfilling the composer's late-life aspiration.
Performer Biography
Marc Grauwels, one of the most famous Belgian flautists, left a career in top Belgian orchestras to focus on solo work and teaching at the Mons Royal Conservatory.
Performer Biography
The Astoria Ensemble, led by accordionist Christophe Delporte, consists of five artists who are all graduates of Royal Conservatories, international competition winners, or members of major orchestras.
Performer Biography
Several renowned composers, including Ennio Morricone, Astor Piazzolla, and Yannis Markopoulos, have dedicated works to flautist Marc Grauwels.
Composer Biography
A turning point in Piazzolla's life was meeting Nadia Boulanger in Paris, who helped him realize his path was in tango enriched by classical forms, jazz, and his own intuition, rather than 'art' music.
Composer Biography
Astor Piazzolla, born in Argentina, spent his childhood in New York City during Prohibition, where he was influenced by jazz artists like Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway, while his father played Carlos Gardel's tangos.
Composition History
Piazzolla's "Histoire du Tango" was dedicated to flautist Marc Grauwels, who gave its first performance with guitarist Guy Lukowski.
You might also enjoy...
Irish Roots
Frohe Weihnachten!
The Duke Ellington Carnegie Hall Concerts, January 1943
