Programme Notes for Cellango
Cellango is a cello quartet composed by Ailbhe McDonagh based on the tango dance form. A cello tango, it is an homage to the Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla who is famous for his tango writing. The cello quartet ensemble is perfectly suited to the tango because of its range as both high and low areas of the instrument are explored in the piece, giving it the ability to sound lyrical but also rhythmic and sultry.
The opening sets an energetic scene with both first and second themes but then becomes more tranquil towards the middle section of the piece. The rhythmic tango bassline is heard in pizzicato celli here in a lyrical interplay between the other instrumental voices. As the opening theme returns, it adds more layers, textures and techniques to the original, gathering excitement as the piece approaches its end. Segments of all the themes return towards the finale and with dramatic glissandi the piece rushes to an exciting finish. Cellango is dedicated to Aisling Drury-Byrne with whom Ailbhe McDonagh studied the cello.
The opening sets an energetic scene with both first and second themes but then becomes more tranquil towards the middle section of the piece. The rhythmic tango bassline is heard in pizzicato celli here in a lyrical interplay between the other instrumental voices. As the opening theme returns, it adds more layers, textures and techniques to the original, gathering excitement as the piece approaches its end. Segments of all the themes return towards the finale and with dramatic glissandi the piece rushes to an exciting finish. Cellango is dedicated to Aisling Drury-Byrne with whom Ailbhe McDonagh studied the cello.