Quintessential Latin American Music From Daniel Rojas And Orquesta La Luna Tango

Five extraordinary musicians combine their talents to deliver a passionate performance of some of the most beloved loved tango repertoire ever conceived.

With the passion of South America bubbling in his blood, composer, pianist and vocalist Daniel Rojas leads Orquesta La Luna Tango as it sighs, cries and caresses the instrumental and vocal legacy of such icons as D’Arienzo, Caló, Pugliese, Piazzolla and Troilo – as well as Rojas’ own heart-felt, eclectic and contemporary compositions. Enter the ‘Golden Era’ of tango in the streets of Buenos Aires where bittersweet melodies of love and life literally tangle with voluptuous artistry.

Featuring Rojas at the piano with Daniel Wallace-Crabbe on bandonéon, Maria Lindsay and Matt Bruce on violins and Annabel Cameron on double bass, the curtain-raiser spotlights Daniel Rojas in solo with his rich and varied Latin American piano repertoire: tango, afro-Cuban, Andean, indigenous and more – all with jazz and classical influences (yes, even Bach!) and his trademark improvisation.

“I take liberties with the music because I want it to always remain fresh and exciting,” says Daniel. “But besides the fireworks, it is also music that is informed and intelligent.”

The line-up includes quintessential tunes like the intimate “Bésame Mucho”, Piazzolla’s “Libertango” and “Resurrection of the Angel”,
the dance-igniting rhythms of “Mambo Infuenciado”, Argentinian tango and even a 16th century Peruvian gem!

Daniel Rojas is a unique Australian composer-pianist-improviser of Chilean and Peruvian background who draws from a broad musical palette. Graduating with the University Medal and a PhD in composition from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Rojas has won many prizes including the Fellowship of Australian Composers Award, Frank Albert Prize, the Miriam Hyde Memorial Award, and the Keys National Piano Composition Competition. He has received commissions from many orchestras, ensembles and artists and is regularly heard on radio. Among his works are two piano concertos (which he has performed himself) and a large-scale choral-orchestra work,
Three Songs of Garcia Lorca. His solo album, Latin Piano Expressions, was selected as Limelight magazine’s ‘Editor’s Choice’ in 2013.
Daniel was 2017 Willoughby Symphony Orchestra Composer and Artist in Residence and he teaches at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Tickets: $28 general admission, $20 conc.

Bookings or call 9211 9442