S O L E D A D

The ensemble SOLEDAD was born in 1995, when five young students in Brussels discovered a common passion for the music of Astor Piazzolla. They specialized in the interpretation of the "Nuevo Tango", with a line-up of Accordion/Bandoneon, Violin, Piano, Guitar and Double bass. The originality of this formation and it’s personality arouse the interest of several contemporary composers like Frederic Devreese, Alberto Iglesias and Daniel Capelletti, and also brought the musicians of the group to the write their own arrangements, coloured by their various influences. This modern approach takes SOLEDAD on the way traced by Piazzolla and opens new musical prospects. The first concerts of Soledad immediately seduce both public and press, their reputation quickly grows in Belgium and also abroad, and they win several prizes at various contests of chamber music. In January 2002, Soledad is chosen to close the ceremony of the “Victoires de la Musique Classique” in a direct broadcast show on TV channel France 3. The group is also nominated “Best Young Musician of the Year” by the Union of the Belgian Musical Press. In April that year, after one of their concerts in the Palais des Beaux-Arts of Brussels, they meet Martha Argerich, who is very impressed by Soledad and invites them to perform on various international scenes.In December 2002, the group receives the “Choc de l’Année” of the leading French classical magazine “Le Monde de la Musique” for their first album “Soledad” (on Virgin Classics). “Like a dazzling universe, hammered by ivory, with Argentina in mind, the twelve tracks of this tango album are truly fascinating and breathtaking, in a repertoire that goes from Astor Piazzolla to Richard Galliano, Daniel Capelletti, Michel Lysight and Igor Stravinsky. To make a success of this ‘coup de maître’, virtuosos were needed. These virtuosos are Soledad …” (Le Monde de la Musique, George Gad, 12/2002) The ensemble performs in the largest venues and international festivals, like The Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels, The Suntory Hall in Tokyo, the Grand auditorium du Palais des Festival in Cannes (Victoires de la Musique 2002), the new Brussels venue Flagey, the Festival La Roque d’Anthéron in France, Euromeet jazz and Veneto Jazz festivals in Italy, Al Bustan Festival in Lebanon, Miami Festival in Florida, the Argerich festival of Taipei (Taiwan), Lugano Festival (Switserland), Beppu (Japan),… In 2003 their second album “Del Diablo” was released on Virgin Classics and received great acclaim in the national and international press. During 2004 Soledad is invited at festivals like La Roque d’Anthéron, Festival of Wallonia, Festival of Flanders, in Canada, in the United States, etc… In 2005 the ensemble tours in Japan, Canada, France, Italy, etc, and has the honor to have been chosen to perform the annual concert for the Royal Palace of Belgium on October 25, which will be broadcasted "live" on both national TV stations. Their new CD 'Passage' - dedicated to the music of Frédéric Devreese and with the collaboration of great jazz guitarist Philip Catherine - has been released in october 2006 on EMI/Virgin Classics, and receives rave reviews.
 “Soledad presents cd surprisingly beautiful.”  “In the middle the accordion, surrounded by violin, piano, double bass and guitar, and for this special event with jazzman Philip Catherine. Playing together like the best rock group, as one, with a beating heart.” “The quality of Soledad goes far beyond musical boundaries. If we say that Soledad specializes in tango we don’t do them right, because Soledad simply makes beautiful music. "On their new cd ‘Passage’ they perform music by Frédéric Devreese, who arranged a selection of his compositions for quintet, with Philip Catherine as guest.  In concert it was great to hear how these works perfectly combine with those of Piazzolla.  A very impressive performance: with fire and passion”. (Het Nieuwsblad - H-M Post, 20/11/06)
 
« La rencontre de Frédéric Devreese avec Soledad est de l'ordre du merveilleux. Le dernier CD du groupe, 'Passage' [Virgin Classics], en est une nouvelle confirmation. Accueillant pour l'occasion un Philip Catherine au meilleur de sa forme, Soledad parcourt une cinquantaine d'année de compositions du compositeur : Passage à 6, sept passages de musiques de film (Belle, De man die zijn haar kort liet knippen, Evenepoel, Les noces barbares, La partie d'échecs, Benvenuta), Gemini, Final Game II & IV . Grand et jouissif. » (NewConsonantMusic, 11/06)
 
Soledad • Passage à 5

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"Del Diablo" is a CD Soledad can be proud of. (...)  the ending is full of fire and commitment, making us hope that Soledad will bring on more Devreese on the next outing. (SixMoons.com)
 
Soledad • Adios Nonino

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« Univers pathétique et enivrant, martelé d’ivoire, aux arrière-pensées d’Argentine, les douze titres de cet album de tango constituent une course à bout de souffle qui fascine, dans un répertoire qui va d’Astor Piazzolla à Richard Galliano, en passant par Daniel Capelletti, Michel Lysight et Igor Stravinsky. Pour réussir ce coup de maître, il fallait des virtuoses.  Les virtuoses, c’est le groupe Soledad…. »  (Le Monde de la Musique, Georges Gad, 12/2002)
"The Brussels-based quintet Soledad are back with a new album that mixes classic tango nuevo from Astor Piazzolla - including the frenzied Concierto para Quinteto - with new works specially written for the group by Daniel Capelletti and Frédéric Devreese. Soledad's brilliant musicianship and fantastic energy push boundaries aside in a whirlwind of elegance, passion and inventiveness". (Le Vif/L'express)
 
Die fünf Musiker von Soledad zeigen auf ihrer CD "Del Diablo" nicht nur, dass sie virtuose Instrumentalisten sind. Viel wichtiger ist die große Leidenschaft und Spielfreude. Das beeindruckende Können von Soledad hat sich inzwischen auch herumgesprochen. So war das Quintett inzwischen zu mehreren Auftritten in Italien, Spanien, Frankreich, im Libanon und auch in Japan.  (ndrinfo.de)