“Ziegler’s arrangements and also his originals gave Beiser a launching pad for tracking down every bit of restless unease in the genre-spanning compositions: his part’s in his blood, meticulous yet forceful, whether driving the rhythm, adding jazzy flourishes or the occasional joyous glissando. […]
After a 1970s-era lullaby by Ziegler, the ensemble wowed what looked like a sold-out crowd with a plaintive version of Piazzolla’s Adios Nonino, then a swinging, somewhat satirical portrait of a macho doofus written by Ziegler and then closed with an impressively understated version of the iconic Libertango, its restrained, tense revelry a perfect resolution of the tension between Piazzola the pop tunesmith and Piazzolla the modernist composer. The crowd wanted an encore; they got an unselfconsciously beautiful rendition of Ziegler’s Muchacha de Boedo. Considering how much fun everyone onstage was having, let’s hope they keep this richly enjoyable project going.”
Pablo Ziegler Quartet at Birdland with guest Sandra Luna
Pablo Ziegler Quartet with guest Sandra Luna July 12 - 16, 2011 shows at 8:30 & 11:00 PM Birdland 315 West 44th St (map) New York, NY
On July 12 - 16 Pablo Ziegler will bring his tango quartet to the legendary Birdland jazz club in New York. The group, featuring the consummate talents of Pablo Ziegler on piano, Hector Del Curto on bandoneon, Pedro Giraudo on bass, and Jisoo Ok on cello, will be joined by acclaimed Argentine chanteuse Sandra Luna in her first New York City appearance.
For more information on Pablo Ziegler, visit bernsarts.com
“The shadow of Argentine composer and bandoneon player Astor Piazzolla looms large whenever new tango music is performed. In the North American musical mind, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that tango music begins and ends with Piazzolla. But Friday night’s Mondavi Center performance by pianist Pablo Ziegler and an ensemble of standout musicians dispelled that notion. … Like all successful band- leaders, Ziegler proved savvy in his choice of musicians. Stellar musicianship was a true highlight.”
“The Mondavi Center’s 1801-seat Jackson Hall was nearly full for the performance, accommodating all ages of music lovers, from the young family to my left to the college-aged women to my right.
… Pieces performed by the full Chamber Ensemble were almost too energizing for a sit-down concert. The heads of audience members were bobbing during the quick and flirtatious “Fuga y Misterio.” … Though talented stand-alone musicians, the ensemble seemed to thrive off the energy it created as a group. It was apparent that the ensemble’s members enjoy one another as more than colleagues, and their subtle on-stage interactions imbued the performance with an intimate yet inviting tone.
… In appreciation of the performers’ good vibes, the audience offered up some warmth of its own in the form of a standing ovation. With Ziegler ushering the members to stand closer together, the Chamber Ensemble stood smiling in front of us before rewarding the crowd with a rare encore performance.”
Pablo Ziegler continues to extend the realm of nuevo tango on the concert stage with his unique and majestic sound. An exciting new project developed at the Miami International Piano Festival, Beyond Tango sees Ziegler’s music arranged for solo piano as well as large classical ensemble, including string quartet, woodwinds, and classical percussion.
April 23 at 8:00 PM SymphonySpace 2537 Broadway (map) New York, NY 10025
Buenos Aires Celebrates Ástor Piazzolla’s 90th Birthday with Pablo Ziegler
If you’ve been in Buenos Aires recently, you’ve probably seen one of the thousands of these posters on display all over town. The late grand-maestro of tango Ástor Piazzolla is turning 90, and to celebrate, long-time Piazzolla collaborator and nuevo tango torch carrier Pablo Ziegler will play 6 nights at Centro Cultural Torquato Tasso with his esteemed trio.
Ziegler can next be seen stateside on April 2 at the Westport Arts Center in Westport, CT with guest Nestor Torres. Later that month, he’ll bring a special program called Beyond Tango, in which he plays his compositions and arrangements with a large ensemble including string quartet and woodwinds, to Symphony Space in NYC on April 23 and the Mondavi Center in Davis, CA on April 29.
Here’s some footage of the world premiere of Beyond Tango:
