Review | Songlines

Otra Mirada: Tangos de Cámara

Rating: ★★

View album and artist details

Album and Artist Details

Artist/band:

Daniel Tarrab

Label:

Times Square Records

July/2019

When Astor Piazzolla dragged tango, sitting (he didn't want any of that silly kicking) and screaming, into the concert space, he did so to subvert its gatekeepers, advance the tradition, and test his innovative musical theories out.

This collection of eight classically inflected original tangos, composed and conducted by Daniel Tarrab, is a much more conservative exercise, doing for tango what film soundtracks do for most musical forms – dilute them, froth them up, make them bland. Ten violins, five cellos and five violas can pack a lot of power, but their need to harmonise implies a degree of conforming. Soloist Pablo Agri, a fine violinist, struggles to get his parts heard. Tarrab's piano is audible, however, and Nestor Marconi is forceful enough on bandoneón but he's been directed to play along and there is limited scope for drama or controlled phrasing in these arrangements. Tarrab is technically gifted and has had some success as an accompanist and on films, but he hasn't the vision to lead originally from the front.

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