Tango
World Music - Jazz - Classic
Augsburg, at the end of the last millennium:
In the large and magnificent rooms of the Augsburg Theatre the four musicians Herbert Engstler (double bass), Martin Franke (violin), Gregor Holzapfel (guitar) and Stefan Schwab (clarinet) meet in the Symphony Orchestra. After studying classical music, they were united by the desire to explore other, more chamber-musical paths in addition to symphonic music in large ensembles.
Their inquisitive search and their many musical interests eventually led the group to "Tango Argentino". With their own arrangements, they manage to entertain with artistry and virtuosity at a high level.
Music
Lo que vendrá - Tango Argentino
The history of this music has to do with migration, flight and hope.
At the end of the 19th century, impoverished locals and declassed immigrants from Europe clashed in the harbours of Montevideo and Buenos Aires. In this tense atmosphere the tango was born.
It tells of melancholy, love and jealousy, of suffering and dreams, of pain and hope.
The tango soon conquered the European metropolises; It experienced a new upswing in Berlin and Paris.
The Argentinian Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992), who studied in Paris, performed regularly in Europe with his quintet. He is regarded as the most important innovator of this music. With his life's work, he developed the tango into a perfect art music.
In his programme "Lo que vendrá" (What is to come), the QUARTETO TOCAR with Martin Franke (violin), Stefan Schwab (clarinet), Gregor Holzapfel (guitar) and Herbert Engstler (double bass) all facets of this fascinating musical genre.
Biographies
Fascinated by the music of the Beatles, jazz, and later classical and modern music, Martin Franke studied violin at the conservatory in Munich and at the Düsseldorf University of Music.
In addition to his permanent position with the Augsburg Philharmonic Orchestra, he goes his own way - far removed from classical music - and is involved in projects in the fields of theatre, dance theatre and film music.
He also devotes himself to French chanson, "pop", African music, Turkish music and experiments with improvising musicians ("Boscarelli 91"). His strong interest in folklore and ethnic music eventually led him to Argentinean tango, to formative encounters with Argentinean musicians and numerous performances in formations such as the "Quinteto Tocar", the quartet "El Jaguar" or the trio "Mas Que Tango".
Stefan Schwab, clarinet, spent many hours in his youth playing the solos of the great jazz saxophonists and clarinettists on the radio and record player.
He then studied at the University of Music in Munich with Prof. Gerd Starke and Deborah Marshall as well as with Prof. Eduard Brunner in Saarbrücken. In 1993, he was appointed deputy principal clarinettist with the Augsburg Philharmonic Orchestra.
He also sees his musical roots in authentic Bavarian folk music and pursues them on the clarinet in backyards or at the Oktoberfest. His love of jazz and improvised and free music has always remained with him.
He lives out this musical side in a wide variety of bands.
Gregor Holzapfel, guitar, socialised with rock and jazz music, studied classical guitar at the Leopold Mozart Conservatory in Augsburg and then at the Karlsruhe University of Music.
He has worked regularly with the Augsburg Philharmonic Orchestra since 1988.
The major German orchestras (BRSO, Bavarian State Opera, SWR, Munich Philharmonic...) call on him when guitar, mandolin, electric guitar or electric bass are required for Mahler symphonies or contemporary programmes. Then he goes on a world tour.
In small ensembles, he has been able to realise his interests in contemporary music ("GO GUITARS", an ensemble with five electric guitars - music scholarship from the City of Munich), as well as in the field of world music with "Parablui" and the "Quinteto Tocar" in many concerts and recordings.
If Herbert Engstler, double bass, had followed the passions of his youth, he would have ended up in a band as an electric bass player or somewhere as a professional footballer instead of a double bass player with the Augsburg Philharmonic Orchestra.
His music teacher at the time, however, ordered the talented piano pupil to join the school orchestra as a double bass player. And so a career as a classical musician took its course: after leaving school, he studied in Augsburg, Munich and Vienna. However, his subsequent everyday life in the orchestra did not silence his curiosity for genres outside of classical music. He learned the hammered dulcimer, became involved in folk music and salon music and specialised in Argentinian tango.
The next generation of double bass players is also very close to his heart.
Founded by Gregor Holzapfel in 1998.
The first and only brief line-up consisted of violin, clarinet, guitar, double bass and piano.
The piano was soon replaced by a bayan (special type of accordion).
The first Quinteto Tocar from 1998 to 2002:
Martin Franke - violin,
Stefan Schwab - clarinet,
Gregor Holzapfel - guitar and arrangements,
Wilhelm Trofimenko - bayan,
Andreas Finke - double bass.
In 2001 Willi Trofimenko and Andreas Finke had to leave the group for professional reasons.
The second Quinteto Tocar was formed with Frank Aumann on bayan and Herbert Engstler on double bass. This line-up lasted until the band disbanded in 2008.
Many concerts and live performances characterised this period. A time of musical learning, including a musician's workshop with Alfredo Marcucci - bandoneon (1929-2010), contacts to Buenos Aires (Norberto Vogel, arr./piano/bandoneon) and many dancers. The collaboration with Rupert Feiner (Baila Tango Munich) was particularly instructive and successful.
After a ten-year break, the desire for a reunion arose. Due to the pandemic, the realisation had to wait a while. And unfortunately, Frank Aumann was unable to join us again for family reasons.
This is how our current Quarteto Tocar was formed. Our first performance as a foursome was in July 2023.
Since then, the enthusiasm has been unabated.
Let's see what the future holds: LO QUE VENDRÀ!