Håkon Skogstad
with Atle Sponberg and the Trondheim Soloists
VISIONS OF TANGO
karoline wallace’s second self titled album. Following the triumph from “Lang vinter”.
release: January 15 2021.
On May 28 Norwegian pianist and composer Håkon Skogstad will release his new album “Visions of Tango”, together with the Trondheim Soloists – one of the leading string ensembles in Norway and former concertmaster of The Norwegian Radio Orchestra and sought-after violinist Atle Sponberg. In Visions of Tango, Skogstad’s original music is united with the music of Astor Piazzolla in celebration of the 100th year anniversary.
Håkon Skogstad (b.1989) is a prize-awarded diverse pianist and composer holding degrees in classical performance from Trondheim, Oslo and New York. He has performed in critically acclaimed ensembles and as a soloist throughout Norway and played concerts in the U.S., Argentina, Germany, Austria and Sweden. Skogstad released three recordings with recognized tango ensembles in Norway, as well as his debut solo album “Two Hands to Tango” – which has received numerous outstanding reviews worldwide. “…his playing is total precision and full of fiery emotion.” (Dick Metcalf, Contemporary Fusion Reviews), “Skogstad’s touch is rich and romantic […] a collection of tasty treats'' (George W. Harris, jazzweekly.com), “In this way, Skogstad reformulates the use of the piano in the genre and gives it an absolutely personal characteristic, to which he adds a precise technical interpretation not without subtle moments of improvisation.” (Carlos Salatino, Tiempo Argentino).
”Riff-driven classical music rooted in the rhythms of the Argentine tango”
In my previous album “Two Hands to Tango”, I combined my experience from tango, classical and jazz playing to establish a new pianistic performance style in nuevo tango music - greatly inspired from the playing style of the bandoneón. In “Visions of Tango” this style is further developed through my compositions and arrangements with the piano in front of the string orchestra, as well as in duo with the violin. Concerto for Piano and String Orchestra in four movements is “riff-driven classical music rooted in the rhythms, articulation and timing of the Argentine tango”. The music dances its way through the resolute, fiery and passionate, to the joyful, expressive and sublime. The piano part is a culmination of classical virtuosity and tango expressiveness.
Histoire du Tango, originally written for flute and guitar by Astor Piazzolla, explores the evolution of tango – from the up-tempo and high-spirited milonga of the Bordello, through the nostalgic melancholia of the Café, to the Nuevo tango of the Nightclubs and finally – “The concert of today” – in harmonies inspired by Bartók and Stravinsky, but grounded the rhythm of a milonga.
Allegro Tangabile is an instrumental piece from the «tango operita» Maria de Buenos Aires by Astor Piazzolla. In my arrangement, I have tried to realize the bandoneon part in the piano - a tribute not just to the music, but also to Piazzolla - the performer.
Tres Minutos con la Realidad is a less known Piazzolla tango and a good example of his more provocative compositions – using contemporary harmonies of his day and thus pushing the limits of what a tango could be.
Adios Nonino is perhaps the most famous composition of Piazzolla. It was composed when Astor heard the news of his father’s passing. The piece typically starts with a piano cadenza, and the most influential pianists who played with Piazzolla made their own. My cadenza is in the footsteps of this tradition.
Musicians:
Håkon Skogstad – pianist, composer and arranger
Atle Sponberg – violin and concertmaster
Trondheimsolistene – Chamber orchestra
PRODUCTION // OF 180
Produced by Rannveig Ryeng
Recorded at Dokkhuset and Øra Studio (aug/sept 2020) by Jo Ranheim & Kyrre Laastad
Mixed by Jo Ranheim
Mastered by Karl Klaseie
Piano technician: Arve Skjegstad
Cover design and photo: Kristoffer Hylland Skogheim