Carel Kraayenhof, Sexteto Canyengue, Concertgebouw Chamber Orchestra, Netherlands Chamber Choir, Ed Spanjaard ‎– Tango Royal CD

The European tango revival has slowed from its torrid pace of the late 2000s decade but continues to produce distinctive recordings. This one is by Dutch bandoneón player Carel Kraayenhof, who has achieved considerable celebrity in his home country. He's a masterful player, and the small sonorities of his instrument are beautifully displayed by Pentatone's Hybrid Multichannel Super Audio CD sound.

The program is effective, mixing works by Astor Piazzolla with compositions of Kraayenhof himself, taking off from the more experimental aspects of Piazzolla's late period. The performance of Piazzolla's Aconagua Concerto for bandoneón, strings, and percussion (tracks 6-8) is very strong. Buyers should approach this set with caution, however. The Kraayenhof originals and most of the Piazzolla pieces are arranged for bandoneón, strings, piano, and a wordless choir. It is this last element, seemingly designed for André Rieu-style television extravaganzas, that may prove difficult to stomach; for most listeners it will almost certainly add nothing more than an unwanted layer of glop to Oblivion and the sublime Adiós Nonino. Sample well, and if you like a frankly sentimental treatment of the essentially lowdown tango, this may fill the bill.

Label: PentaTone Classics

Country: UK & Europe

Media Condition: Near Mint (NM or M-)
Sleeve Condition: Near Mint (NM or M-)