Phoenix Collective last week travelled to three cities giving five successful concerts which explored early and traditional works from the birthplace of Tango, Buenos Aires and works by the father of Nuevo Tango, Astor Piazzolla, aptly described in the Collective’s marketing material as, ‘Not the usual Hollywood, rose-in-the-teeth, but the knife in the boot style of Tango’. Intriguing!
Guest reviewer, Johnshu Myers was lucky enough to catch the final concert in Gosford’s splendid Greenway Chapel…
“As you walk into the beautiful venue that is Greenway Chapel, it is impossible not to be drawn to the magnificent view that surrounds the audience and the performers. With nature only fingertips away the atmosphere is unlike any other.
The wonderful musicians who are part of the Phoenix Collective Tango Quartet – Dan Russel (violin), Maggie Ferguson (bandoneon), Edward Neeman (piano) and Isabella Brown (double bass) presented ‘Knife in the Boot’, a program exploring the early history of tango starting back in Buenos Aires. We also gained insight into their own personal introduction and relationship with this particular style of music. My favourite piece, if I had to pick one, would have been their rendition of ‘El Choclo’, a very famous work which I always have found to be so wholesome, heartwarming and gritty.
They say that music tells stories and today that phrase couldn’t be more true. From the first note played we were engaged and started falling in love with tango, and as the music continued you couldn’t help yourself from tapping or swaying along. The instruments came together beautifully to create some lovely rich tones, and the musicians brought the music to life through their body language and emotion whilst playing. The audience went on a journey exploring both fast and slow tempos and by the end you resisted the urge to get up and dance.
Such a great captivating and moving concert that made you fall in love with the music that is, Tango.”
In 2021 Phoenix Collective are hoping more people will fall in love with Tango and classical music in general, initiating a fresh and informal lunchtime concert series for the people of Potts Point / Kings Cross and the surrounding suburbs. Set at the iconic Wayside Chapel, the concerts are primarily targeted at people who have never experienced live classical music or don’t have the means to. Wayside Chapel supports vulnerable members of the community and mental health projects. The concerts are open to people of all walks of life and Phoenix Collective will play music that is all-inclusive, integrating and focused on bringing people together. The concerts are an initiative of Artistic Director, Dan Russell, they have been made possible and funded by Judith Neilson AM (White Rabbit/Phoenix Central Park).
Look out for more in 2021 from Phoenix around Canberra, Sydney and the Central Coast at their website here
