Sväng Plays Tango

Finnish tango is a serious business. For over 100 years now it has spoken of melancholy, heartbreak and gloom. But to an outsider it also brings the wonderful resilience of post-war Finland, its creativity, its beguiling melodies, and its endearing wit and humour. Enter legendary harmonica quartet Sväng, for whom tango is never far from their repertoire.

Listening to Sväng Plays Tango is like being transported to the Finnish countryside – dancing through the barely darkened nights in summer, or encased in the different world of wooden tango halls in winter. This isn't the overtly passionate Argentinian tango, yet there is a passion here that runs just as deep – only more subtly, and with an urgency as if this might be the last dance on earth.

Sväng's playing is as exquisite and exciting as always. Deliciously addictive, this weirdly wonderful combination of harmonicas takes us on a journey alongside some historic tango writers. The great Unno Mononen's heart-stopping ‘Sateen Tango’ is there, but also band member Eero Grundström's composition dedicated to dancing pioneer Maggie Gripenberg, and a wonderful ending composed by JPP's Arto Järvelä in that rarity for tango music – a major key. This is Sväng's invitation to dance, and it's one you'll be delighted to accept.