One of Hans van Manen’s best-known works, Five Tangos is a scintillating fusion of the poised precision of classical ballet and the smouldering passion of the Argentine tango, set to the music of master composer Astor Piazzolla.
Born in 1921, Astor Piazzolla was an Argentine musician and a virtuoso on the bandoneón, a square-built button concertina (similar to an accordion) which is often featured in tango ensembles. In 1955, Piazzolla began working on a new subgenre, nuevo tango, that blended elements of jazz and classical music and revolutionised the sound of the Argentine tango.
Van Manen first heard Piazzolla's distinct sound at a dinner in former West Berlin. It was love at first listen and he knew he had to choreograph to his music. The ballet premiered in 1977, bringing together five of Piazzolla's contrasting compositions: Buenos Aires Hora Cero, Resurrección Del Angel, Todo Buenos Aires, Vayamos Al Diablo and Mort Lumiere No. 2.
Five Tangos is one of Van Manen's most performed works across the globe. Through flirtatious encounters and fiery group exchanges, the choreography captures the everchanging nature of love and attraction in a world alive with rhythm.
See Hans van Manen's Five Tangos and revel in Astor Piazzolla's revolutionary sound in our newest Three Short Ballets programme, touring to Leeds and London this autumn.
Photos by Emily Spencer.
