Chamber Music group Camerata San Antonio’s performance season finishes this weekend. I spoke to Camerata's Director Kenneth Freudigman to find out what’s in store for those going to see them. In a phrase: The Road to Tango.
“The Road to Tango is a retrospective on the music of Astor Piazzolla and all the major influences that made him who he was. His major influences during his formative years were Bach and Stravinsky and one of his teachers, Ginastera. And the first half of the program are those three composers. The second half of the program is the other side of his influence, which is the tangos.”
At the heart of much tango music is the almost accordion-like bandoneon.
“The bandoneon was actually a German church organ that found its way to Argentina. And one of the places it ended up was in tango bands because it was very, very portable.”
Camerata has a guest player coming to help in these concerts.
"Yes, we have a guest; his name is Evan Orman. He’s a tango player. He plays bandoeon. He’s actually a cellist and a bow-maker. He’s a modern-day man of many, many trades. It’s really amazing all the things that he does.”
I asked “You’re also opening the night with some student musicians, right?”
“Yes. Each year Camerata San Antonio has a master class. We hear local ensembles and we critique them, and we invite one of the ensembles to perform with us on our last concert.”
The season closes in tango style with a three-day run.
“This Friday evening in Boerne, Saturday afternoon in Kerrville and Sunday afternoon in San Antonio.”
We’ve more on Camerata San Antonio here.
