MUSIC | History of the Tango from Martin Chalifour

History of the Tango traces the evolution of Argentina’s most celebrated musical form through the expressive dialogue between violin and guitar. Centered around Astor Piazzolla’s seminal work Histoire du Tango, the program moves from the sultry rhythms of early Buenos Aires dance halls to the concert sophistication and harmonic modernism that define the genre today with Spanish Folk songs by Manuel de Falla, the charm of early music in a Vivaldi Sonata in C, the timeless Schubert “Arpeggione” sonata (shown at this concert in a new light for the violin-guitar combo), the irresistible music of Fritz Kreisler, and the famed Bartok Romanian Dances complementing the music of Piazzolla.

Violinist Martin Chalifour, longtime Concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, brings a refined and emotionally charged interpretation to this music. Known for his rich tone and versatility across classical and contemporary repertoire, Chalifour partners with Mak Grgic, a guitarist of international standing to explore tango’s rhythmic pulse, melodic lyricism, and evolving form.

Grgic, hailed as a “gifted young guitarist” (New York Times), is a star on the worldwide stage. An
expansive and adventurous repertoire attests to his versatility and wide-ranging interests. From the
ethnic music of his native Balkans to extreme avant-garde and microtonal music, his roles as soloist,
collaborator, and four-time Grammy-nominated recording artist are fueled by curiosity, imagination, and
boundless energy. As a testament to his versatility and wide-ranging appeal, in 2018 Grgic was invited
by legendary singer-songwriter k.d. lang to perform as the opening act for the North American leg of her
Ingénue Redux Tour.

The evening unfolds as both concert and narrative—each movement evoking a different era: the raw energy of the 1900s bordello, the elegant café style of the 1930s, the concert hall reinvention of the mid-century, and the cosmopolitan freedom of the modern tango.

Audiences can expect virtuosic interplay, improvisational color, and a sense of intimacy that reveals why tango remains one of the world’s most enduring expressions of passion and transformation.