Album Notes

On this third album, bandoneonist Denis Plante presents his original music for a production inspired by William Shakespeare\'s tragedy, which has been deftly transposed to the passionate world of tango. The bandoneón is like a dark wind blowing through the story until the final exhalation.

What the media says…

PAULA CITRON, The Globe & Mail, July 15, 2008

Plante composes jazz-influenced tango music that sounds absolutely authentic, and it is not surprising that he has been called the spiritual son of Astor Piazzolla. In fact, the name of Plante\'s musical group honours this great Argentine tango composer. Yet, within this distinctive musical genre, Plante is able to convey subtle changes, from the innocence of Roméo and Juliette\'s first meeting, to the passion of their immortal love, and the final agony of their tragic deaths.

Montreal-based Plante is both one of Canada\'s greatest bandoneon players and foremost composer of tango music. He heads the formidable quintet Ensemble Astorias, which includes Stéphane Allard, violin; Marc Villemure, guitar; Jean-Félix Mailloux, bass; and Isaiah Ceccarelli, drums. Each man is a soloist in his own right, and composer Plante has given himself and his fellows some dazzling virtuoso turns throughout the show.

The bandoneon is the heart of Argentine tango. Resembling an accordion or concertina, its plaintive and melancholy sound is the wellspring for tango\'s lament. Even when a number is jaunty, as in Fanfare pour une nuit de noce blanche, which expresses Roméo\'s fellows on a drunken debauch, the element of sadness is always present.

In this, Ensemble Astorias is aided by chanteuse Sophie Lemaire. She has a low, throaty voice with a breathy top admirably suited for the darkness of tango, and she can pour on the power or pull her voice back when necessary.\"