Four seasons. Two worlds. Two instruments.
This single, cohesive cycle brings together Astor Piazzolla’s Verano Porteño and Invierno Porteño from Las Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas with Julien Labro’s Autumn and Spring from Vivaldi 23.5—a contemporary response to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Written for bandoneón and accordion, Seasons of Conversation explores seasonal transformation through the expressive languages of tango and classical music.
Astor Piazzolla
• Verano Porteño (from Las Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas)
• Invierno Porteño (from Las Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas)
Julien Labro
• Autumn (from Vivaldi 23.5)
• Spring (from Vivaldi 23.5)
Through the interplay between the two instruments, each movement unfolds as a dialogue shaped by contrasting textures, shifting colors, and evolving rhythmic energy. Familiar materials are reframed, new ideas emerge, and the seasons themselves take on fresh emotional meaning.
The result is an immersive yet focused concert experience that spans traditions and musical languages, inviting audiences to encounter the passing of the seasons through a distinctly contemporary lens.
A vibrant symphonic journey into the heart of tango.
Tango Meets Symphony showcases the dramatic power and emotional sweep of tango’s most iconic repertoire, reimagined on a grand orchestral scale. Designed for full symphony orchestra with bandoneón soloist, the program blends passion, drama, and orchestral richness in a sweeping concert experience.
Astor Piazzolla
• Aconcagua (Concerto for Bandoneón and Orchestra)
• Adiós Nonino
• Libertango
Carlos Gardel
• El Día Que Me Quieras
• Por Una Cabeza
Lalo Schifrin
• Tango del Atardecer
At the heart of the program is Piazzolla’s electrifying Aconcagua, paired with the deeply expressive Adiós Nonino, creating a powerful balance of virtuosity and lyricism. The evening also celebrates the timeless melodies of Carlos Gardel, presented in lush orchestral arrangements that bring romantic warmth and cinematic elegance to the stage.
Lalo Schifrin’s Tango del Atardecer adds rhythmic flair and modern sophistication, bridging classical craft with tango’s unmistakable pulse. As a thrilling conclusion, the full ensemble unites for Piazzolla’s Libertango, delivered as a high-energy finale that consistently brings audiences to their feet.
Rooted in the sounds of Julien Labro’s childhood—Piaf, Brel, Aznavour, and other classic French chanson—The Chanson Experiment reimagines these timeless melodies through the lens of contemporary jazz and improvisation.
Performed by a jazz quartet featuring accordion, piano, bass, and drums, the program blends nostalgia with innovation, honoring the tradition while reshaping it for today’s audiences.
Representative repertoire
Francis Lemarque
• À Paris
Jacques Brel
• Ne me quitte pas
Louiguy
• La Vie en Rose
Charles Aznavour
• She
• La Foule
Maurice Ravel
• Pavane
Labro’s accordion leads the ensemble in inventive arrangements that explore harmonic color, rhythmic interplay, and expressive nuance, while the jazz rhythm section adds improvisational energy and spontaneity. The result is a rich, intimate, and flexible musical experience that bridges genres, offering audiences both the warmth of familiar melodies and the excitement of fresh reinterpretation.
Designed for clubs, concert halls, and festival stages alike, The Chanson Experiment brings classic French songs to life in a contemporary setting—consistently earning enthusiastic audience response and strong presenter appeal across venues.
