Director Selects: The authentic sound of Argentine Tango

I rarely play “favorites,” but there are those occasions. Quinteto Astor Piazzolla’s 2019 concert at The Soraya is one of my all-time favorites, from among nearly 600 performances in the past 12 years.

I wasn’t alone. The response for the Argentinian ensemble that evening was nothing short of euphoric. On one hand, they captured the spirit of Argentina with their tango-infused performance the passion, unmistakable rhythms, and the unique sound led by the bandoneon. On the other hand, they honored the legacy of their singular muse, the iconic innovator himself, Astor Piazzolla.

In conducting this interview with the group’s leader, Dario Vaccaro, I learned so much about how the quintet came to be following Piazzolla’s death in 1992, as well as how they approach their mission in preserving Piazzolla’s legacy, including the vast catalog of 2,400 compositions.

We are very fortunate to have them here again on their world-wide tour that will take them to all the European capitals as well as Carnegie Hall.

Gratefully,

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