Piazzolla for Orchestra
Astor Piazzolla was a bandoneonist, and Julien Labro performs his music with orchestras on the bandoneon, including Aconcagua, which Piazzolla wrote specifically for the bandoneon, not the accordion.
Julien Labro on bandoneon.
Three ways to program Piazzolla.
Explore the programs below, then connect with Julien’s team to confirm editions and performing materials.
Aconcagua
Bandoneon Concerto, 1979
A solo bandoneon.
A full concerto.
Piazzolla’s approximately 24-minute concerto places the bandoneon at the center of three movements.
- I.Allegro marcato
- II.Moderato
- III.Presto
Aconcagua was written for the bandoneon, not the accordion, and Julien Labro performs it on bandoneon with orchestras.
Julien Labro performs Aconcagua on bandoneon with orchestra.
Watch an excerpt from Aconcagua, I. Allegro marcato, on YouTube.
- Instrumentation
- Solo bandoneon with strings, piano, harp, timpani, and percussion.
Confirm the current edition, exact forces, and rental materials with Julien’s team.
Explore Aconcagua Explore accordion & bandoneon concertos for orchestra
The Four Seasons
of Buenos Aires
Three versions for your ensemble
Julien Labro brings Piazzolla’s Four Seasons of Buenos Aires (Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas) into the concert hall with the bandoneon at the center, in three versions: solo bandoneon with strings, full orchestra, or guitar, bandoneon and strings.
Piazzolla wrote the four pieces separately between 1965 and 1970 for his quintet: bandoneon, violin, piano, electric guitar, and double bass. Together, they evoke Buenos Aires through the rhythms, colors, and atmosphere of the city itself.
The four seasons
- Verano Porteño Summer
- Otoño Porteño Autumn
- Invierno Porteño Winter
- Primavera Porteña Spring
Choose your version
Bandoneon & string orchestra
Piazzolla's bandoneon version, well suited to chamber and string orchestras.
Bandoneon & full orchestra
The Four Seasons at full symphonic scale, with the bandoneon out front.
Guitar, bandoneon & strings
Julien's arrangement for guitar, bandoneon and strings, recorded with Jason Vieaux and A Far Cry (Azica Records, 2011).
Approximately 30 minutes in all versions.
The Music of
Astor Piazzolla
Julien Labro, Jason Vieaux & A Far Cry
Azica Records · 2011
Choose the right score.
Julien's versions are distinct from Leonid Desyatnikov's 1996 to 1998 arrangement for solo violin and strings. Tell us your ensemble and we'll confirm the right version and materials.
Explore Seasons of Conversation
Tango Meets
Symphony
Piazzolla at full orchestral scale.
A full-orchestra program with Julien Labro on bandoneon can bring together Aconcagua, Adiós Nonino and Libertango, alongside music by Carlos Gardel and Lalo Schifrin.
Repertoire and instrumentation are confirmed for each engagement.
Explore the full programJulien Labro and Piazzolla
Julien Labro has performed Piazzolla's Aconcagua with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra and the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, and Four Seasons of Buenos Aires with the New World Symphony, the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, and the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra. His Piazzolla repertoire with orchestra also includes Adiós Nonino and Five Tango Sensations.
Piazzolla programs at a glance.
| Program | Solo instrument | Format | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aconcagua | Bandoneon | Solo bandoneon and orchestra | Approximately 24 minutes |
| Four Seasons of Buenos Aires | Bandoneon | Bandoneon & strings, bandoneon & full orchestra, or guitar, bandoneon & strings | Approximately 30 minutes |
| Tango Meets Symphony | Bandoneon | Full-orchestra program | Confirmed per engagement |
Which Piazzolla
for your orchestra?
Bring a work, an ensemble, or an idea. Julien’s team can help determine the right format, repertoire, and performing materials for your engagement.
Plan a Piazzolla performanceInclude your venue and likely dates. If you’re still exploring, an approximate orchestra size and a provisional date are enough to start the conversation.