[1995] Sexteto Canyengue
History repeats itself. Eighty years ago the Argentinian Tango made its way to Europe, and once again it’s all the rage. And yet again the Tango is, as the poet once called ‘the complaint book of the slums’ or ‘a sad thought to dance to’. In the 1920s the ‘sexteto’ form first appeared in the Tango and was popularized by the Julio de Caro and Vardaro/Pugliese sextets. The Tango’s stylistic evolution has continued over the years, with notable influences from jazz, classical and contemporary music. Sexteto Canyengue was inspiredly by the music of Osvaldo Pugliese, the ‘Duke Ellington’ of the Tango, one of Argentina’s great composers, arrangers and band leaders, and all-time favourite among pianists, as well as a highly influential musician.
The sextet, first formed in the fall of 1988, is unique in Europe for having two bandoneons, a violin, viola, piano and double bass. The Argentinian singer Fabián Russo was invited to join the ensemble to widen the expressive range: his mellow hypnotic voice gives a modern interpretation to the dooming tango lyrics. Led by the fierce regal tones of the bandoneons – the heart and voice of the Tango – the ensemble is characterized by the strong pulsating force of the ‘canyengue’, which is the predominant rhythmic pattern of this type of music. Sometimes romantic, sometimes vigourous and harsh, yet always passionate. The ensemble plays the classical Tango repertoire with new arrangements, as well as their own compositions, often called ‘the missing link between Pugliese and Astor Piazzolla’, which is quite remarkable for this European-Argentinian Orquesta Típica. ‘Clavel Rojo’ is dedicated to Osvaldo Pugliese and refers tot the red carnation which was put on the keyboard of the piano by members of his orchestra during their performances, symbolizing the absence of the Maestro who, on several occasions, was imprisoned by the regime because of his beliefs. ‘Villa Crespo’ is a tribute to the neighborhood in Buenos Aires where Pugliese was born in 1905.
Sexteto Canyengue has recently toured Argentina with the Osvaldo Pugliese Orchestra, and in Uruguay, and recieved rave reviews.
Felicito al Sexteto Canyengue por su trabajo discográfico seria y respetuosa de las formas musicales del Tango. Les auguro un gran porvenir y la seguridad de un éxito ascendente.
Osvaldo Pugliese
Tracklist
- Clavel Rojo – C.Kraayenhof
- Acquaforte – H.Pettorossi/C.Marambio Catán *
- Negracha – O.Pugliese
- Desencuentro – A.Troilo/C.Castillo *
- La cachila – E.Arolas
- Zum – A.Piazzolla
- Milonga triste – S.Piana/H.Manzi *
- Luciernaga – J.Dames
- Corazoneando – O.Pugliese
- Malena – L.Demare/H.Manzi *
- Villa Crespo – C.Kraayenhof
- Nostalgias – J.C.Cobián/E.Cadícamo *
- Taconeando – P.Maffia
*cantante: Fabián Russo