With the theatrical performance 100 years of Piazzolla, the musicians of the Carel Kraayenhof Quartet honor their musical idol Astor Piazzolla, on the occasion of his centenary.

For bandoneonist Carel Kraayenhof, Astor Piazzolla is a musical godfather, a true hero, who influenced and shaped his entire life. From that first moment in that hotel room, when Piazzolla asked Kraayenhof: “Play something for me boy”, the love was mutual. The life of the great Dutchman with his Argentine heartbeat will forever be linked to the brilliant Argentine Maestro. As the father of tango nuevo, Piazzolla personally invited Carel to solo in his Tango Apasionado. Due to Kraayenhof’s performance at the royal wedding, many people were deeply moved by the melancholic and powerful music of Piazzolla.

If Carel is the musical child of Piazzolla, then bassist Jaap Branderhorst and violinist Bert Vos are his grandchildren. Pianist Juan Pablo Dobal, from Buenos Aires, also had a warm bond with Piazzolla’s music from an early age. He accompanied Amelita Baltar, Piazzolla’s lover and first interpreter of his ballads and songs.

These four tangueros have been traveling the world together for more than 10 years, with their Sexteto Canyengue and with the Carel Kraayenhof Ensemble. They also recorded 8 CDs together. They have now formed the Carel Kraayenhof Quartet especially for this theatrical concert programme.

In 100 years of Piazzolla, instrumental gems are interspersed with colourful, personal stories by Carel and his musical compañeros.​​

REVIEW NRC

‘The Carel Kraayenhof Quartet paints a glowing picture in music and words of the possessed tanguero Astor Piazzolla.’

Source: Theater aan het Vrijthof website