Peter Hudler violoncello
Julia Rinderle piano

A Dialogue: Works by Piazzolla and Bach for cello and piano, performed solo and as a duo, reaching out to one another across the centuries and through the ages.
For Astor Piazzolla (1921–92), the versatile Baroque master Johann Sebastian Bach proved to be a pivotal musical experience. In Paris, under the tutelage of Nadia Boulanger, one of the most famous composition teachers of the twentieth century, Piazzolla studied classical forms, fugue and counterpoint, and used this training to free the Argentine tango from its aura of debauchery („dive-bar music“) – establishing it worldwide as a fusion of traditional tango, classical rigour and jazz influences as Tango Nuevo to bring it to the attention of the public. Right into the concert halls of the great concert venues. Piazzolla’s love for Johann Sebastian Bach is evident in his artful polyphonic interweavings, right through to veritable tango fugues such as the title track Fugue and Mystery in its expression, but also – and perhaps even more so – in the great depth of feeling which is always present, despite all the formal rigour and harshness of the expression.

Programme

Astor Piazzolla

History of the Tango

Three Short Pieces, Op. 4

(excerpts)

Milonga in Re

Oblivion

Fugue and Mystery

Le Grand Tango

Back to the South

Johann Sebastian Bach

Excerpts from:

Suites for solo cello, BWV 1007–1012

Sonatas for viola da gamba and piano, BWV 1027–1029

English Suites for solo piano, BWV 806–808

Pieces for solo piano, BWV 825–830

Preludes and Fugues

Organised by Cello Expansion. Tickets at www.celloexpansion.com (Link)  and available at the box office.