History of the Tango

Martin Chalifour, violin • with guitar

History of the Tango traces the evolution of Argentina’s most celebrated musical form through the expressive dialogue between violin and guitar. Centered around Astor Piazzolla’s seminal work Histoire du Tango, the program moves from the sultry rhythms of early Buenos Aires dance halls to the concert sophistication and harmonic modernism that define the genre today.

Violinist Martin Chalifour, longtime Concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, brings a refined and emotionally charged interpretation to this music. Known for his rich tone and versatility across classical and contemporary repertoire, Chalifour partners with a guitarist of international standing to explore tango’s rhythmic pulse, melodic lyricism, and evolving form.

The evening unfolds as both concert and narrative—each movement evoking a different era: the raw energy of the 1900s bordello, the elegant café style of the 1930s, the concert hall reinvention of the mid-century, and the cosmopolitan freedom of the modern tango.

Audiences can expect virtuosic interplay, improvisational color, and a sense of intimacy that reveals why tango remains one of the world’s most enduring expressions of passion and transformation.