For the penultimate concert of Shrewsbury’s Music Trust’s season, the London Tango Quintet played a memorable concert at Prestfelde School’s Blackburn Theatre. This has been a superb season for the Trust; some daring bookings, well-planned programmes and an unfailingly high standard of musicianship. The concert on May 24th was no exception.
The London Tango Quintet is a group of world class musicians. Each is a powerful performer in his own right but the tight cohesion within the band means there is no place for displays of ego. There is rhythmic vitality, beautiful sounds from each instrument and perhaps above all a fine awareness of the mood of each composition.
Perhaps the best-known name in the tango world is Astor Piazzolla; each half of the programme began and ended with one of his compositions.
The opening number was ‘Milonga del Angel’ which threw the spotlight on the sweet melancholy of the accordion of Milivojević and the violin of David Juritz. It was exquisite!
Pianist David Gordon contributed two excellent compositions and his piano playing was superb; dexterity one takes for granted but the subtlety of his touch and phrasing were remarkable.
Django Reinhardt’s well known ‘Nuages’ gave guitarist Craig Ogden a solo opportunity. He really created a Django vibe yet put his own interpretation on this beautiful composition. No wonder he is in demand throughout the world!
Richard Pryce, the bass player was a tower of strength throughout the programme. Whether playing pizzicato or bowed, his instrument had a glorious rich tone. Richard played a solo on ‘Contrabajissimo’ which Piazzolla composed for his bass player.
The penultimate number by Brunelleschi called ‘Illusion de mi Vida’ was unusual in being the only number which was a waltz!
This was a superb concert; the musicians were clearly loving every moment-as did the audience.
Andrew Petch