A joint concert by
Solidaridad Tango // Luis Ramirez Quintet
The Heliconian Club 35 Hazelton Ave, Toronto 8pm, May 1st, 2022
Tango: A Concert by Solidaridad Tango and the Luis Ramirez Quintet
FIRST HALF
Solidaridad Tango Variación (2005) - Julián Peralta, Arranged by Aparna Halpé (2021) Bandola Zurdo (Performed 1973) - Leopoldo Federico and Raúl Garello, Arranged by Pablo Jaurena (2021) Maria Rita (2017) - Ramiro Boero Bailar Contigo (2012) - Pablo Estigarribia Agosto (2014) - Julián Peralta Charrúa (2006) - Julián Peralta Eclipse (2021) - Katharina Deissler Pompeya (2016) - Julián Peralta, Arranged by Pétalo Selser (2021) Solidaridad Tango is: Aparna Halpé (Violin) Lucia Barcari (Violin) Adriana Arcila Tascón (Viola)
Sybil Shanahan (Cello) Heyni Solera (Bandoneon) Sumi Lee (Piano) Shannon Wojewoda (Double Bass)
INTERMISSION (15 MINUTES)
SECOND HALF
Luis Ramirez Quintet Immigration Suite (2022) – Luis Ramirez - Éxodo (2020) - Choque (2020) - Zozobra (2019) - Astenia (2020) - Malicia (2020) - Espera (2021) - Infierno (2021) - Asilo (2020) - Sola (2022) - Insidia (2020) Luis Ramirez Quintet is: Lucia Barcari (Violin) Heyni Solera (Bandoneon) Soohyun Nam (Cello) Shannon Wojewoda (Double Bass) Luis Ramirez (Piano)
SOLIDARIDAD TANGO Solidaridad Tango was founded during the pandemic to create fair work, professional development, and performance opportunities for women tango musicians. Solidaridad is the first and only all-woman, diversity-affirming tango orchestra in North America. Working closely with respected tango pedagogues such as Ramiro Boero, Guillermo Rubino, Ignacio Varchausky, and many more, Solidaridad plays tango that is rooted in traditional performance practice, while vibrantly alive in our contemporary moment. In 2022, Solidaridad Tango will release two albums Sos Lo Más, which is funded by the Canada Council for the Arts, and Distancia, which is funded by the Ontario Arts Council. Solidaridad will also perform as an ensemble at the Reed Tango for Musicians Festival in Oregon (June 2022) and headline the La Nuestra tango festival in New York City in August 2022.
LUIS RAMIREZ QUINTET The Immigration Suite is a collection of ten tangos that examine different facets of life as an immigrant. The overarching narrative follows a somewhat analogous journey to that of seasonal changes and personal growth. Éxodo is the overture, the adventurous departure towards the new land, where we are introduced to every member of the band. Choque reflects the culture clash not only between different traditions but also between old and new. Zozobra is a word for “anguish” or “sorrow”, and it portrays the initial afflictions of leaving your home behind. Astenia means “weakness”, and it illustrates the challenges that come from health issues and loss. Malicia is built with playful rhythms, and it depicts the initial anxieties and apprehension that arise from meeting new people and not knowing their intentions. Espera is about the survival demand for patience and endurance that one ought to have when dealing with the uncertainties of the immigration process. Infierno is the peak of frustration and rage throughout this journey and denotes the hellish nature of helplessness and coping with the circumstances. Asilo is about being able to find refuge even in the most harrowing and bleakest circumstances. Sola is the embrace of loneliness - hitting rock bottom and dealing with depression and despair. Finally, Insidia is the last stage of this journey, but also the beginning of a new chapter. It is about how small everyday actions can have compounding effects in both positive and negative ways. Ultimately, this suite is about resilience and letting go of the past, and tango offers a unique medium to showcase the sense of finding solace in the face of despair. The creation of this suite was generously funded by the Ontario Arts Council.