Histoire du Tango für Violine

The fourth Supraphon album of the 21-year-old pianist Daniel Matejča marks a genre shift. After the virtuosic sonatas of Eugène Ysaÿe (2023), an album of chamber music together with pianist Jan Schulmeister (Suk, Martinů, Fišer, 2025) and thrilling concertos by Shostakovich and Prokofiev with the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra under Tomáš Netopil (2025), the focus now turns to "Tango Nuevo," which is inextricably linked to Ástor Piazzolla. Alongside Argentine tango, his compositional style reflects not only contemporary classical music, which he studied in Paris under Nadia Boulanger, but also jazz and in particular the music of Bach, which Piazzolla played on the bandoneón to the surprise of many. On a map, Piazzolla would lie on an imaginary axis between Buenos Aires, Paris and New York. It was probably this breadth of sources of inspiration that fascinated Daniel Matejča, who in addition to the violin also plays piano and percussion (not to mention the wide range of genres he performs), as well as the exceptional accordionist Martin Šulc, whose tonal palette ranges from intimacy to an at times almost orchestral fullness. Their flawless ensemble playing is self-evident; all the more impressive is the degree of freedom and expressivity they bring to it. Both suites ("Suite del Ángel," "Histoire du Tango") contain clearly audible echoes of Piazzolla's years of study in Paris. Of course, "Ave Maria," "Oblivion," "Escualo" and "Finale" cannot be missing – irresistible works that in themselves would be sufficient to ensure Piazzolla's immortality. This recording by two young musicians fascinated by the Argentine legend could certainly contribute to this lasting legacy.