Chamber Music Prom 4 (23.08.21) - The Sound of Argentina

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

13:00 & 18:00 Monday 23 August 2021
Cadogan Hall

Astor Piazzolla: Histoire du tango
Ariel Ramírez: Alfonsina y el mar, transcr. Shibe
Ariel Ramírez: Gringa chaqueta, transcr. Shibe
Ariel Ramírez: Juana Azurduy, transcr. Shibe
Ariel Ramírez: Dorotea, la cautiva transcr. Shibe
Ariel Ramírez: Antiguos dueños de las flechas, transcr. Shibe


Wallis Giunta, mezzo-soprano
Adam Walker, flute
Sean Shibe, guitars

Former BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist Sean Shibe has been breaking down musical boundaries and winning awards since he erupted onto the classical music scene almost a decade ago. Now the young guitarist makes his much-anticipated Proms debut, joining forces with flautist Adam Walker and mezzo-soprano Wallis Giunta for a concert celebrating the centenaries of two Argentine composers. Songs by Ariel Ramírez follow Astor Piazzolla’s Histoire du tango – tracing the dance’s colourful history from its origins in the bordellos of Buenos Aires via cafés and nightclubs to the contemporary concert hall.
Sean Shibe guitars

[bluestateprommer]

Very fine Cadogan Hall Prom (as all the Cadogan Hall Chamber Music Proms pretty much are) of Argentine music, for those who haven't yet heard this concert, and well worth a listen if you haven't yet. The concert ran past 2 PM, so that the BBC Sounds page cuts off in the middle of the last song. You need to go to the immediately-following Afternoon on 3 concert link to get the full last number. Like many music-inclined types, I was on a bit of an Astor Piazzolla mini-kick in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when he was trendy in the years just after his death. With the passage of time, I've learned to listen to him more in small doses, since his rhythmic tics and mannerisms do recur quite often, to the point of and maybe beyond cliche.

Everyone was on strong form in this recital, again no surprise. I'd missed Sean Shibe in years past when he was one of the Radio 3 New Generation Artists, but have seen several of his Wigmore Hall video recitals. Adam Walker did very well in the flute and guitar version of AP's L'histoire du tango, which I don't recall ever hearing in that particular arrangement. Wallis Giunta sang excellently, every word crystal clear, even for those like me who don't understand Spanish. She also does well in what she snarkily referred to as her "percussive debut".

[oddoneout]

Agreed, a most enjoyable listen and Wallis Giunta indeed excellent. Yet another opportunity this Proms season for me to hear something I wouldn't normally encounter.

[LeMartinPecheur]

I thought Wallis Giunta was absolutely fantastic! From her name, accent and repertoire here I guessed she was US, South American or a mix of both. Google reveals she's Irish-Canadian!

Sean Shibe and Adan Walker were pretty good too...