During Dutch International Tangoweek, the Dutch Tangoweek Orchestra will once again be the beating heart of the festival. This special orchestra, which has now become a fixture, has a clear mission: to make the wealth of Argentine tango music accessible to a wide and diverse audience.
Taking inspiration from the definition of Argentine tango as recognized by UNESCO, the orchestra develops concert programs that are both rooted in tradition and open to innovation. At the same time, the ensemble offers professional musicians the opportunity to immerse themselves in this distinctive musical movement and become an active part of a vibrant tango practice in the Netherlands.
Led by pianist and musical director Wim Warman, the orchestra searches for new angles every year. This year is all about recognition and surprise: iconic hits from the ’80s are transformed into compelling tango arrangements. “The ’80s are full of melodies that everyone knows,” Warman said. “Just by translating that music into the language of tango, something new and familiar is created at the same time. The audience hears something familiar, but experiences it in a totally different way.”
According to Warman, therein also lies the orchestra’s strength: “We want to lower the threshold. Tango is sometimes surrounded by a certain image, but it is essentially a living, breathing art form that continues to evolve. With this program, we invite everyone to experience that for themselves.” The result is a feast of recognition for a wide audience: from seasoned tango aficionados to curious listeners who are immersed in the sounds of bandoneon, strings and piano for the first time.
The concert will take place on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. on the attractive Lieve Vrouweplein in Amersfoort and is free to attend. With this open-air concert, the Dutch Tangoweek Orchestra underlines its social role: connecting music with encounters, and making culture accessible to everyone – young and old, dancer and listener.
