Tango & Chamber Music Programs

Julien Labro performing bandoneon with a chamber ensemble — Julien Labro performing with a chamber ensemble

Bandoneonist Julien Labro brings flexible tango and chamber music programs to recital series, festivals, and touring seasons. Presenters can choose a string-quartet collaboration with the Takács Quartet, a guitar-and-bandoneon duo with Jason Vieaux, or concept-led programs that trace the instrument's history and tango's continuing evolution.

Discuss a chamber program

Julien Labro &Takács Quartet

String quartet
+ bandoneon

Julien Labro and the Takács Quartet taking a bow after a chamber performance — Julien Labro and the Takács Quartet taking a bow

Hear the collaboration

Takács Assad Labro Takács Quartet, Clarice Assad,
Julien Labro

CirclesBryce Dessner

ClashClarice Assad

Meditation No. 1Julien Labro

A long-form chamber collaboration built around new commissions, Julien's own music, and repertoire that lets the bandoneon enter the quartet as an equal voice.

Music Accord commissioned Bryce Dessner's Circles and Clarice Assad's Clash for the partnership.

Julien Labro's Meditation No. 1 received a 2024 Latin Grammy nomination for Best Classical Contemporary Composition.

Program and recording details

The program has included Bryce Dessner's Circles, Clarice Assad's Clash, Julien Labro's Meditation No. 1, music by Dino Saluzzi, a J.S. Bach arrangement, Astoración, and Ravel's String Quartet in F Major.

The Takács Assad Labro recording includes Meditation No. 1. The collaboration continues to explore Julien's Meditations alongside Bartók and Piazzolla.

Julien Labro &
Jason Vieaux

Julien Labro and guitarist Jason Vieaux performing in concert — Guitar + bandoneon

Two portable instruments open a wide repertoire, from Piazzolla and Gnattali to Brouwer, Metheny, and Pärt. The duo first met in 2007 and has since toured across North America.

Repertoire and orchestra details

Their recordings Piazzolla and Infusion document a partnership shaped by Astor Piazzolla, Radamés Gnattali, Leo Brouwer, Pat Metheny, and Arvo Pärt.

Their orchestral work with ensembles including Orchestra of St. Luke's and A Far Cry has included Piazzolla's Double Concerto and Labro's arrangement of The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires. New West Symphony commissioned and premiered Canvas, Labro's concerto for bandoneon, guitar, and string orchestra.

Jason Vieaux, Julien Labro, A Far Cry Piazzolla

Explore recording

Jason Vieaux and Julien Labro Infusion

Explore recording

Sacred vs. Profane

Julien Labro performing bandoneon with a chamber ensemble in a concert hall

The History of the Bandoneon

Bandoneon + piano · 65–70 minutes · no intermission

String quartet version also available

Conceived in 19th-century Germany for devotional music, the bandoneon later found a new musical life in Buenos Aires, where it became one of the defining voices of tango.

Sacred vs. Profane traces that journey through Bach, Franck, Gardel, Saluzzi, Piazzolla, and contemporary music.

Featured repertoire: Bach, Goldberg Variations · Franck, Prélude, Choral et Variation · Gardel, El día que me quieras · Piazzolla, Muerte del Ángel and Milonga del Ángel · Labro, Aria Tango

Beyond Piazzolla

The Past, Present, and Future of Tango

Bandoneon + string quartet · 75–80 minutes · no intermission

From the dance halls of Buenos Aires to the contemporary concert stage, Beyond Piazzolla traces tango’s evolution from its early roots to its continuing reinvention.

The program moves from Ángel Villoldo, Igor Stravinsky, and Carlos Gardel through the revolutionary music of Astor Piazzolla, before turning to composers who have carried tango forward in new directions.

Featured repertoire: Villoldo, El Choclo · Stravinsky, Tango · Gardel, El día que me quieras · Piazzolla, Concierto para Quinteto, Adiós Nonino, Escualo · Schissi, Astor de Pibe · Golijov, Last Round (I) · Aslan, Tanguajira · Otero, De Ahora En Más

Julien Labro and ensemble taking a bow after a tango performance — Julien Labro and ensemble after a tango performance

Your next chamber program.

Share the ensemble, timing, venue, or musical direction. Julien's team can discuss repertoire and shape the program for your season.

Performance inquiries

Explore all program formats