Piazzólla: Michelangelo 70

• Piazzólla’s compositions have been arrranged by Duo Intermezzo in an innovative way

• These artists specialise in the music of Piazzólla

• They have been influenced by both classical and jazz music

More than any other composer since J. S. Bach,Astor Piazzolla achieved the ultimate synthesis of the musical influences acting upon him - from Bach to jazz to classical music of his contemporaries - while remaining true to his Argentine roots. In this dazzling programme, London Concertante goes 'beyond' Piazzolla classics and introduces four newly written works by David Gordon and Adam Summerhayes that pay homage to the master.

London Concertante enjoys an enviable position in the world of classical music where it is regarded as one of the finest chamber ensembles in Europe - a position it has spent the last 17 years striving to maintain. Begun in 1991, the ensemble quickly garnered praise both here and abroad and now gives around 100 concerts a year all over the world. As well as performing regularly for music clubs and festivals in the UK, in the first part of 2008, London Concertante toured to the USA, Cyprus and will be giving concerts in Spain and Turkey later in the year. The group's first release on the Chandos label ("Gypsy Strings") came out to unequivocal critical acclaim. The success of the London Concertante owes much to the exceptional talents of its players, inspired programming by its Artistic Director, Chris Grist, and thrilling leadership under the internationally renowned violinist, Adam Summerhayes.

"played with silky-toned elegance….extraordinary unanimity. The London Concertante members, fine chamber musicians that they are, played with an uncanny clarity of texture…quite exquisite." The Strad

"Drum-tight. This is superb chamber playing" The Scotsman ****

"Quality musicians. Quite excellent…pursuing each new pulse with the unanimity of a shoal of fish. [They] play with tone as soft as velvet, bow strokes that really sing and a Romanticist's wide volume range." Evening Standard

The album ‘Tango!’ is a collection of popular pieces by the great Argentinean composer Astor Piazzolla. The artists are the Isabelle van Keulen Ensemble, a group that was put together by the critically acclaimed Dutch violinist especially to perform the music of Piazzolla and other composers working in the field of the tango.

The Isabelle van Keulen Ensemble was formed in January 2011 by violinist and violist Isabelle van Keulen especially for a series of concerts in Haarlem's Concertgebouw titled ‘Carte Blanche’ which showcased the music of Ástor Piazzolla. After the enormous success of their first concert many further invitations followed, and the group has since performed at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam as well as international music festivals like Schleswig Holstein Musikfestival, Rheingau Musikfestival and Delft Chamber Music Festival. Since winning the Eurovision Young Musician of the Year award in 1984, celebrated Dutch violinist Isabelle van Keulen can look back on many years of musical diversity. She not only plays the violin and viola with the same commitment, but has also has been part of a 20- year collaboration with the Dutch pianist Ronald Brautigam (with whom she has made several recordings for Challenge Classics), performed with and directed the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra, founded the Delft Chamber Music Festival, and been a regular soloist with orchestras such as the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and Berlin Philharmonic.

The Blu-ray version of the release ‘Tango!’ by the Isabelle van Keulen Ensemble (CC72610) features a video of the studio performance of several of the Argentinean composer Astor Piazzolla’s most popular pieces, including Verano Porteno, Oblivion, and Libertango. Accompanied by a special documentary, ‘Music from the Heart’, which presents interviews with ensemble members and behind-the-scenes footage of the studio recording process. The Blu-ray package also contains a CD of the recording.

The Isabelle van Keulen Ensemble was formed in January 2011 by the critically acclaimed Dutch violinist and violist Isabelle van Keulen especially for a series of concerts in Haarlem's Concertgebouw which showcased the music of Ástor Piazzolla.

Blu-ray specifications:

Region code: A, B, C (region free), Running Time: 84 mins

Rating: E (excempt), Subtitles: English, German, French, Dutch

Picture format: 16:9, 1920x1080i

Sound format: Dolby Digital 2.0, DTS HD Stereo 2.0, DTS HD Surround 5.1

The brilliant Argentine musician Astor Piazzolla, who revolutionised the traditional tango through his use of jazz elements, counterpoint, extended harmonies and dissonance, has constantly appealed to wide audiences, as well as fascinating classical musicians. Here Astoria (string quintet, piano, accordion), led by Christophe Delporte, gives a delightfully lively rendering, capturing the rhythm and all the lyricism and charm of Piazzolla’s tango nuevo.

SACD + DVD

Described by Gramophone as “a formidable Duo”, celebrated South-Americans virtuosi Karin Lechner and Sergio Tiempo invite you to discover Tango Rhapsody, their exciting new recording for Avanticlassic.

For this project, the Duo Lechner Tiempo selected eight Tango pieces that were specially arranged or composed for them by the most famous Argentinian composers.

You will find such beloved pieces as ‘La Muerte Del Angeli', 'Adios Noninoi' and 'The Secret in Their Eyes' - the music theme from the Oscar winner movie 'El secreto de sus ojos'. An extemely talented duo, you can see them in action on YouTube.

Legendary tango performer and composer Astor Piazzolla gained experience of jazz in New York and classical form and technique through studies with Alberto Ginastera. His work lends itself perfectly to arrangement for all kinds of ensemble, and this is the first recording with solo trombone. These popular pieces showcase the stunning playing of multi-award winning soloist Achilles Liarmakopoulos in a variety of moods, including the famous Oblivion, and Le Grand Tango, a virtuoso show-stopper originally written for cellist Mstislav Rostropovich.