Con cierto toque de tango – “With a certain touch of tango”
Sverre Indris Joner is regarded an expert on most kinds of Latin American music in Norway. In the 1990s he and the tango-quartet with the confusing name Tango for 3 captivated listeners with their authentic interpretation of Argentine tangos and their startling tango versions of classical composers and popular music.
On this album Joner the Norwegian Radio orchestra have recorded an album of his orchestral music, with Henning Kraggerud and the rest of the quartet Tango for 3 as soloist.
Joner’s musical palette covers a myriad of LatinAmerican realms of expression, but on this release he offers insight into the world of tango music as seenthrough his eyes. Hence the title Con cierto toque de tango — with a certain hint of tango.
Sverre Indris Joner is an exceptionally active composer, orchestra leader and musician. In his projects
and bands he has always chosen to stay in the background, but names such as Hovedøen Social Club, Tango for 3, Electrocutango and TanGhost perhaps ring a few bells. Tango for 3 consists of Per Arne Glorvigen
(bandoneon), Odd Hannisdal (violin) and Steinar Haugerud (double bass), in addition to Joner himself on
piano. The ensemble was founded in 1986 and was the first in Norway to specialize in Argentine tango.
Henning Kraggerud, renowned violinist and composer, performs regularly with many of the world’s leading orchestras and festivals.
The Norwegian Radio Orchestra is an orchestra of high international standard. At the same time, it is a versatile ensemble, performing everything from the symphonic repertoire and contemporary music to pop, rock, jazz, and folk music. The list of collaborations with renowned artists across all genres, both Norwegian and international, is constantly growing. Today, the orchestra is comprised of the best classical instrumentalists, musicians who value versatility and playfulness, and have a strong reluctance to compartmentalize music. All music is to be performed with the same high quality and enthusiasm.
The renowned bandoneonist Juan Jose Mosalini wrote a very positive review for the liner notes of the CD.
“It’s 28 years since I first got to know Sverre Indris Joner, when he invited me to record an LP with his trio: bass, violin and piano (“Tango for 3”). I was struck by his talent and knowledge of the language of tango and we managed to tap into the pulse of the genre together effortlessly. Over the course of time, he has shown me his talent as a composer, arranger and pianist. I was fortunate enough to premiere his composition Vino y se fue with my orchestra, and both the musicians and the audience alike were unanimous in their appreciation of the originality and quality of the work, which you will also find on this recording. You can imagine my sense of curiosity and admiration when I recently discovered this outstanding CD. It contains works of great contrast and depth, and his treatment of the symphony orchestra is reflected in the exceptional quality of the interpretations of the soloists and of course the diligence of the conductor and the orchestra as a whole. Taking tango on a journey into the symphonic world is a challenge that Sverre has accepted and taken to the highest level. Personally, I’d say this work is one of the best (if not the best) to date.
Tango has been inherited from people and cultures from all over the world. Although it grew out of the Rio de la Plata area between Montevideo and Buenos Aires, musicians from all corners of the globe these days are producing creative tango works of enormous importance. As with all genres music, there is nothing more important than loving it and immersing oneself in the universe of its style and sound.
Sverre shows full commitment as well as an innate knowledge of tango. His deep admiration for a number of important musicians, such as Horacio Salgan, shines through in his work. I can personally vouch for the quality of his creative compositional work and his music undoubtedly holds a privileged place in the genre of tango. As a humble musician, bandoneonist and performer, and in the name of the tango, I say a big thanks to you Sverre Indris Joner for your huge contribution!”
A big thank you to norwegian artist Lars Elling who has given his kind permission to use his paintings as cover-art.