Phenomenal Tango Music rocks the chapel walls

 

Music of Astor Piazzolla

Last month’s phenomenal performance of Tragedia, Comedia y Piazzolla at the Old Mission San Jose in Fremont, literally rocked the chapel walls as the tight-nit quintet powered through the songs and music of Astor Piazzolla. The second coming of “Quineteo Quilombo“, the classical chamber tango ensemble, to the Music at the Mission and Music@Market music series was a delight to the almost full house (or should I say full church?). Led by virtuoso performers Seth Asarnow on Bandoneon and Ertan Torqul on violin, they pushed and pulled Piazzola’s music with such raw emotion, the audience was compelled to jump to their feet and shout their praises several times during the evening.

 

The venue was a perfect setting for the delicate subtle interludes as well as the powerful bursts of energy that engulfed the hall. Rounding out the quintet was Bill Everett on bass, Paul Binkley on guitar and Aileen Chanco on piano. Individually each are dynamic performers in their own right. Collectively they are a powerhouse of musical mastery and innovation.

Sadly the evening ends too soon, albeit on a high, high note.

Argentine Tango experience captivates the South Bay

San Jose, California, October 19, 2007

WOW! What a way to “kick start” the new 2007-2008 season for Music@Market / Music at the Mission, the tandem chamber music concert series in the South Bay. With the debut of “Zero Hour… The World of Astor Piazzolla”, the halls of the San Jose Museum of Art were punctuated with the rhythm of Argentinian Tango. The formidable cast of world-class musicians included Seth Asarnow on bandoneon (the instrument of Astor Piazolla), versatile San Francisco guitarist, John Imholz, San Antonio Symphony Associate Concertmaster, Ertan Torgul, Symphony Silicon Valley Principal Bassist, Bill Everett, and our very own, Aileen Chanco on piano. “Their timing was impeccable” as each musician wove intricate rhythms into a powerful tapestry of tempos, melodies and emotions. With two rounds of standing ovation from the full house, it was clear, Tango has arrived, and so has this fledgling new music series.

The brainchild of Aileen Chanco and Julie Wind, Music@Market and Music at the Mission bring together two historic venues, the St. Joseph Cathedral Basilica in San Jose and Mission San Jose in Fremont, as the backdrop for presenting new and exciting experiments in modern chamber music. The first concert of this season, “Zero Hour…” showcased not only the music of Tango, but the elegant dance of tango as well. The Bay Area Tango Bandeonista treated the audience to a dazzling display of footwork as dancers pranced and swayed to the beat of Argentine Tango.

The after-party reception brought audiences and participants together to share in the exuberance of the evening and sample the wine and food of Argentina. The “Zero Hour… The World of Astor Piazzolla” event has brought music, dance, culture, art and food together in a complete experience that redefines “a night on the town.” I anxiously look forward to the next offering served up by South Bay’s new cultural icons, Music@Market and Music at the Mission.