'Eloquent, incisively ironic, brilliantly witty and unfailingly secure.'
The Times

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Argentine cellist, Eduardo Vassallo, gave the world premiere performance of Astor Piazzolla's famous cello piece, Le grand tango, in Buenos Aires in 1986 - a work originally dedicated to the Russian cellist Mstislav Rostropovich. With strong family ties to Piazzolla, Eduardo's father was a member of his legendary Buenos Aires Octet. In this programme showcasing Piazzolla's complete original works for cello and violin, Vassallo pairs the piece with Piazzolla's other composition for cello and piano, the beguiling but lesser-known Tres piezas breves. Also included is Jorge Bosso's homage to the composer, Fantasía sobre un tema de Piazzolla; El cant des ocells by Pablo Casals (a composer admired greatly by Piazzolla); Graciela y Buenos Aires, in its original version for cello and piano by José Bragato (Piazzolla's own long-standing cellist); and a world premiere performance of Osvaldo Golijov's Milonga. In this family affair, Eduardo Vassallo is joined by his sons Danny on double bass, and Diego, who will perform Piazzolla's two original works for violin: the Milonga en re and Preludio No. 1. 

 

In Eduardo's own words: 'What a privilege to take part in this event, playing music by great Argentinian composers and good friends of mine. On top of that, what a treat to play with my two sons (Diego and Dany) and John, brilliant musicians who feel this music in the same way I do.'

 

Astor Piazzolla Le grand tango | Tres piezas breves | 

Milonga en re | Preludio No. 1 | Escualo | Kicho

José Bragato Graciela y Buenos Aires

Osvaldo Golijov Milonga hebrea (world premiere performance)

Pablo Casals El cant des ocells

Jorge Bosso Fantasía sobre un tema de Piazzolla

Aníbal Troilo (arr. J. Bragato) Contrabajeando

 

Eduardo Vassallo cello

Diego Vassallo violin

Daniel Juan Vassallo double bass

John Turville piano

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Born in Buenos Aires, Eduardo Vassallo stands as one of his country’s most illustrious cellists. Coming to Europe in his late teens to perfect his studies at the International Menuhin Music Academy in Switzerland, he settled in the UK in 1989 where he has since performed as Principal Cellist of the CBSO. He has also guest led the cello sections of most of the main British symphony orchestras, in addition to touring extensively internationally. He has premiered numerous works by Argentine composers such as Golijov, Bosso and Piazzolla and is the co-creator of the touring production Transtango, featuring Marcelo Nisinmann. He has released three CDs with his longstanding ensemble El Ultimo Tango, including  Tangos by Piazzolla, available on the Somm label.

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Diego Vassallo started studying violin in Birmingham with Peter Thomas. Following his studies at the RNCM under Pavel Fischer he moved to Berlin where he freelances as an orchestral and session musician. Especially since being in Berlin Diego has been increasingly occupied with exploring Tango music and bringing it to as many audiences as possible.

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Daniel Vassallo studied double bass in the UK at the RBC and RNCM, and at the HMTM in Germany. He also studied tango music in Buenos Aires, where he founded his quintet, ‘Elegante Sport’, with appearances nationwide including the World Tango Festival. Playing principal bass in the EYO, Daniel has also performed with the Philharmonia, BBC Philharmonic, RLP and CBSO, amongst others.

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John Turville is a leading UK jazz and tango pianist and has won multiple awards including ‘Best Album’ (Parliamentary Awards), and ‘Best Instrumentalist' (London Jazz Awards). John is also an experienced composer and educator, and the principal jazz piano tutor at Birmingham Conservatoire.

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PLUS Join us after the concert for a complimentary wine reception courtesy of the Argentine Embassy.

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Organised by ILAMS as part of Echoes Festival 2021 in collaboration with the Instituto Cervantes, and the kind support of the Embassy of Argentina