Canberra: Intensive Tango Ensemble Workshop with Jorge Retamoza (Argentina)
Description
A rare opportunity for Canberra musicians — in your own backyard.
Join Argentine saxophone virtuoso Jorge Retamoza for a 5-day intensive tango ensemble workshop at the Ainslie Arts Centre — an immersive, hands-on experience designed for intermediate to advanced instrumentalists who want to go deep into the language, phrasing and rhythmic identity of Argentine tango.
This is not a lecture series. You will play, listen, analyse, and play again — working directly with one of the world's leading tango innovators.
WHO IS THIS FOR? Wind players (all instruments), pianists, double bassists and string players (violin, viola, cello) at intermediate to advanced level. All participants must be able to read music. The workshop is ensemble-based — you will perform with the group, not just observe.
SCHEDULE: Monday 21 September to Friday 25 September 2026, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM each day. Total: 15 hours.
LOCATION: Ainslie Arts Centre, 1 Corinna Street, Ainslie ACT 2602
INVESTMENT: $300 AUD per participant. Places strictly limited to 15 musicians. Contact the event organiser for concession rates.
WHAT YOU WILL WORK ON:
→ Tango phrasing, articulation and rhythmic identity
→ Ensemble listening and interpretation
→ Repertoire: Pavadita, Recuerdo, Oblivion, Libertango, La Cumparsita and more
→ Stylistic analysis of the great tango schools
→ How to approach written tango as an improviser
Scores and reference recordings provided in advance. Bring your instrument.
About Jorge Retamoza With nine albums as a leader, Jorge is the first Argentine saxophonist to record Piazzolla's Seis Estudios Tanguísticos in full for solo saxophone. He has premiered major concert works in collaboration with Saarbrücken Public Radio in Germany and performs internationally as a soloist and ensemble leader.
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Agenda
- 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Session 1 — Salgán: A Reinterpretation of the Tango Tradition
Two foundational tango works arranged in the style of Horacio Salgán The workshop begins with a listening and analysis session of the Quinteto Real version of El Choclo, arranged by Horacio Salgán. Participants will study and perform elements such as melodic transformation, rhythmic character, ensemble phrasing, expressive gestures, and the process of listening, imitating, and integrating. Arrangements studied: La Cumparsita, El Choclo
- 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Session 2 — The Great Tango Orchestras and the Rise of the Milonga
Three tangos in the style of classic dance orchestras Arrangements studied: Saludos, Pavadita, Recuerdo
- 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Session 3 — The Great Tango Orchestras, Part II
Continuation of the study of dance‑orchestra style. Arrangements studied: Quejas de Bandoneón, Como dos extraños Includes review of material from previous sessions.
- 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Session 4 — Piazzolla and Nuevo Tango
Exploration of Piazzolla’s characteristic writing: melodic gestures, harmonic progressions, rhythmic structures, and accompaniment patterns. These elements will be examined through rehearsal of two of his classic works. Arrangements studied: Oblivion, Libertango In the arrangement of Catamarca, an early tango theme, participants will also explore more advanced techniques including harmonic treatment, modality, and atonality. Arrangement studied: Catamarca
- 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Session 5 — Review and Informal Presentation
A focused review of key learnings from each arrangement studied during the week. The second half of the session will be an informal presentation to live public of family and friends.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
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