Made in Buenos Aires is a remake album of the 12 original songs composed by Bianca Vrcan. The album was originally called Tango for London, and was first recorded in London by quarteto Tanguedad in 2013. Tanguedad is now a sexteto, with the amazing Pablo Valle as musical director, based in Buenos Aires.
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The idea of creating a whole album came about spontaneously, while contemplating the idea of starting to compose some Tangos. I usually come up with these ideas impulsively.
To give myself plenty of challenge (which I love), I knew that composing a song or two would not give me the same drive, or opportunity to explore the composition process in the same way, as working towards an album would.
The influences on the album are not restricted to Tango, or purposely trying to be different, either. This is just to say that they represent me and my time. I did not try to copy something that was made 100 years ago, or to be one hundred percent traditional, as it would be clear that it would be just a copy. Neither was I trying to be modern, and follow the more modern bands, as I don’t want to be classified as a purely modern composer, and placed in the same bracket. I think I made music that bridges many styles, and that is what makes it interesting.
You will find that there are three milongas on this album that are quite traditional, which is because of restrictions in the rhythm that defines a milonga. Then, there are two valses; they are also restricted by their rhythm. When it comes to Tango, though, that is a wild beast that you have to grab by its horns, and it is not easy. I have described each song’s birth in brief, how and why it came about, to shed some light on the process, and help the listener who wants to know more, enjoying it in that new light.
This was the first tango I composed, and it had to be the one called Tango for London, as it does have that sound of London. It’s surprising, strong, proud, with a lot of drama achieved by strong accents mixed with silences which the author loves in music and dance, and which feature very strongly in this highly expressive and danceable piece.
After I composed this Tango, I realised that the introduction was in 5⁄4 time signature, hence the name. For a while I couldn’t decide if to transform it to 4⁄4 or leave it like that and in the end, after a lot of debating I decided to leave it in that original form.
When this tune came to me, I felt it wanted to be a jazzy tango. To make the tune more interesting I invited a jazz musician to improvise on the top of the tune. Then, in editing fase I selected the parts I liked the most. In the first version of Jazzeango, the guest instrument was a trumpet, while in the new version it is a saxophone.
This is a song that started with lyrics written by a prolific songwriter, singer and guitarist, Oscar Acebras. Amazed at Oscar’s ability to spontaneously recite improvised poetry at any time, on one occasion that he gave me a beautiful piropo on a dancefloor, I asked him to write me a song as I was in the process of composing. He wrote ‘Invierno’ the same evening, reflecting how he was feeling at the time (this winter evening in the south of London where he lived).
This song was dedicated to someone special.
I composed this vals, inspired by the nostalgia of East European Gypsy music.
This fun milonga was dedicated to a close friend, and tanguera, whose personality is quite colourful, charismatic, and attention-seeking.
In the process of composing this fun milonga I realised it sounded slightly exotic in a few places which inspired the title.
The name is only referring to the coolness and laid back-ness of this milonguita, and not its pace, which in fact is not slow at all!
This tango was written in 3-3-2, as a tribute to Piazzolla. This amazing composer used this rhythm in his notorious composition ‘Libertango’. The 3-3-2 does not indicate a time signature here (which is 4⁄4 as usual) but where the main accents should be in the melody.
In this composition, inspired by east European gypsy music, I wanted to add a voice as an additional instrument giving it this special bohemian feel.
I was inspired by universal experiences (including mine) of the after-milonga feeling, that of being sweetly tired having enjoyed a night that you didn’t want to end, or walking home filled with emotions, having danced with someone special that you might never see again…or feeling sad for not having danced with people you wanted to dance with. Each night is unique, each madrugada is unique, yet there is this feeling that can hardly be expressed in words, so I tried to express musically.
Bianca is a versatile artist with a need to constantly express her art through different artistic media. As a musician, she enjoys playing piano, and in 2010, while studying Tango technique for piano with amazing pianist Pablo Citarella, inpired by Pablo, she impulsively decided to start composing. Three years later she formed quarteto Tanguedad and recorded and launched her first Tango album Tango for London in London, with a great success. However, she always wanted to record it again in Buenos Aires. The album (under a different name) will be launched in April 2020 in Buenos Aires. Please follow Tanguedad on Facebook for details.
Pablo Valle is a musical genius of our time, with the incredible ability to play accurately in the style of any important Tango orchestra (preferring Biagi) and to write the most exciting variations as an arranger. I feel super proud and priviledged to work on this album with Pablo!
They call him Messi del bandoneon. What more is there to be said? You can admire his whole incredible musical trajectory here but let’s mention just one cool fact: since 2005 Romo is also first bandoneon and director of Sexteto Mayor! And if you dont know who they are, you’d better check!
Another grande bandoneonista of the Tango scene in Buenos Aires. In brief, he is currently part of the super popular La Juan D’Arienzo, Romantica Milonguera apart from the great Pablo Valle Sexteto (PV6).
She is currently the most in-demand tango violinist in Buenos Aires! ‘She has a lot of talent technically and a lot of heart when she plays’ —Bernando Berge (singer).
For a full read on her incredible musical history, visit her website.
A versatile Colombian musician (contemporary music, Tango and folklore), who has toured the world, as a part of different Tango and Latin-american formations.
“…one of the most beautiful voices that has broken into the tango scene: defender of women’s rights, contestant, intense, sweet, feminine and powerful, with exquisite phrasing and great emotional depth.” —Radio ArInfo
Romanian tango singer based in Buenos Aires, and student of the renowned tango singers Celia Saia and Lidia Borda. Andreea’s shows include her own interpretations of famous Romanian Tangos and on this album (song ‘Tango Bohemio) she excelled in bringing the bohemian spirit of East European melodies in a unique way.
Andres is a top Tango double-basist, currently also part of the most popular Tango bands in Buenos Aires: La Juan D’Arienzo, Romantica Mulonguera and PV6 (Pablo Valle Sexteto).
For me, the album is utterly compelling. The tunes are beautiful as a listening experience. This is elegant music produced with the clarity and crispness you would expect from a modern recording. The cultural inheritance of Golden Age tango oozes from the phrasing of this clearly modern composition.
Here is an abum of new, lively, rhythmic and exciting music from a composer with a deep understanding of tango. Within traditional forms, Bianca develops catchy hooks and ideas which bounce around the band as they relish playing with and developing them. As you listen, the varied pace and drama, the surprises and use of sudden stops and silence make you see exciting dance possibilities in your mind.
Amazing tango album. A lot of tango albums are great but dated, this is fresh and edgy and bang up to date. Fantastic to dance to, fantastic to listen to, I highly recommend it.
Beautiful tango music. The CD is put together wonderfully, every song is a different and new approach, so never boring or repetitive, but the entire CD works to provide an authentic tango mood or perfect music to dance Argentine tango.
I received this as a gift from gf and became an instant favorite! Every track is catchy and unique and as a whole the album manages to take you in with it. I usually play this in my car in the evenings on my commute home from work. It has a soothing effect on me by being neither heavy or too commercial. It has a nice balance to it and a unique atmosphere that captivates you...
