Romantic tango with a spicy zest for a Sunday afternoon. Raimonds Melderis, who proposed the idea for the programme, says: “I’ve always been fascinated by Astor Piazzolla and Richard

Galliano’s musical magic. I’ve been contemplating the idea of a chamber music concert with a hint of tango for a long while.”

The outstanding bandoneon player Astor Piazzolla will be commemorated with a performance of one of the grand Argentinian’s final pieces – Five Tango Sensations. Slumber, love, anxiety, despair, and fear – such is the scope of the five tango sensations, and a Texan critic once rightly described the music as full of tragic beauty.

The musicians have also chosen to perform the Opale Concerto by Richard Galliano – a composer whose works are popular among Latvians. According to the composer himself, the three movements are inspired by three different places: the first one emerged from Mediterranean impulses from his native Cannes; the second part is dedicated to a bygone Paris with street musicians playing the accordion and barrel organs, whereas the third movement is Galliano’s own New York Tango.

Raimonds MELDERIS, Sandis ŠTEINBERGS, violin

Arigo ŠTRĀLS, viola

Ainārs PAUKŠĒNS, cello

Raivo OZOLS, double bass

Artūrs NOVIKS, accordion

Programme:

Richard GALLIANO, Arturs MASKATS, Astor PIAZZOLLA