Munich Modern Jazz Orchestra

With the Libertango Suite, the Munich Modern Jazz Orchestra pays tribute to the Argentine bandoneon virtuoso and composer Astor Piazzolla (1921–1992). The forefather of Tango Nuevo wrote the piece in the 1950s and published it for the first time. In 2002, an arrangement by composer Fred Sturm—as sensitive as it is rich in timbre—was performed by the renowned hr Big Band—an arrangement that is now being revived by the Munich ensemble.

The Munich Modern Jazz Orchestra has invited accordionist Vladislav Cojocaru as a soloist of distinction—he is a proven connoisseur of Tango Nuevo and a Piazolla expert.

The piece “Libertango” and other compositions embody this blend of passion, melancholy, wistfulness, and verve; of tradition and musical openness to the world; and of tango movement and modern jazz aesthetics. These qualities are characteristic of Piazolla’s work. Sturm’s arrangements highlight the music’s characteristics in a very special, nuanced, rhythmically stirring, and moving way.

Instrumentation:

Hilmar Erb (as, ss, cl)

Mark Pusker (alto sax, soprano sax, flute, clarinet)

Klaus Nachtweyh (tenor sax, clarinet, flute, conductor)

Janine Schrader (tenor sax, clarinet, flute)

Matthias Noack (bs, bclar)

Stefan Kreminski (trumpet, flugelhorn)

Sepp Schmölz (trumpet, flugelhorn)

Florentin Kanzleiter (trumpet, flugelhorn)

Michael Flossmann (trumpet, flugelhorn)

Markus Krämer (tb)

Michael Ehlen (trombone)

Chris Landsiedel (trombone)

Vincento Carlotta (baritone sax)

Vladislav Cojocaru (acc)

Thomas Wecker (guitar)

Stefan Radtke (piano, conductor)

Manuel Frey (b)

Dittmar Hess (dr)