Knaresborough Pro Musica breaks new boundaries with its Bach to Tango concert at this year’s feva.

Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992) takes the orchestra into fresh and exciting territories.

Opinions would say this will attract part of an audience who would never venture past the threshold of the traditional concert hall. After all tango is dance rhythms bordering the jazz genre. Even Dizzy Gillespie considered Piazzolla a genius.

However, his development was greatly influenced by Bach, Stravinksky and Bartok. Indeed, all the baroque and classical composers were, in their time, into dance rhythms!

Knaresborough pro Musica’s programme takes the form of a chronological journey from Bach’s Brandenburg concerto No 3, Mozart’s Adagio and Fugue in c minor, Britten’s Simple Symphony and The Four Seasons (las cuatro Estaciones portenas) by Astor Piazzolla.

The orchestra is fortunate to have secured an arrangement of the Four Seasons. Originally written in 1965 as stage music for a play, The Little Girl with the Golden Hair, it became famous under the title ‘Verano Porteno’ or Summer.

The original being scored for a quintet comprising bandoneon, violin, piano, guitar and bass, performed by Piazzolla’s newly formed 1956 quintet. Later Piazzolla added Spring, Autumn and winter to complete the set.

Without doubt this piece is constructed along the lines of the baroque concertos, this being most apparent in the orchestral version to be heard at the Knaresborough Festival. What is certain is this piece has never been performed in the Harrogate/Knaresborough area before. This gives feva a real festival first.

This is fun music for all ages and widens the traditional concert hall appeal. This is what festivals are for, to appreciate the understood- and widen the horizons into new pastures.

Bach to Tango with Knaresborough pro Musica

St John’s Church, Knaresborough.

 20 August 2011 7.30 pm

Tickets £12, cons £10, students £5, from Castlegate Books, Market Square, Knaresborough.01423 862222