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Programme Note

Sydney dance teacher Ian Murphy tells how the argentinean tango began in the ghettos of Buenos Aires, with dance steps grouped in 5s and 7s which worked across the music’s phrasing. However, when taken to Europe, extra dance steps were invented to fit into groups of 8s. I heard a modern tango, with its faster tempo, performed at Darling Harbour in Sydney one Sunday afternoon, and my Modern Tango explores the grouping of 5 within this fast tempo. The piece emplys voice leading, shifting harmonies and a long melody. It was originally written for solo piano as one of five tangos, Tango Cinco. Cellists Deborah Coogan and Fran Firth have provided valuable advice i this version for cello and piano.

Diana Blom

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