Folk & Tango
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Friday, 1 May 2026
8:00 pm
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Manning Clarke Hall, Kambri at ANU
154 University Ave, Acton, ACT 2601
Uplifting folk music and nuevo tango brings a high energy, global party feel to the Festival
Folk & Tango brings together a dazzling constellation of soloists whose musical identities are shaped by rich cultural lineages. Superstar sound-sorcerers from Spain, Scotland and Serbia join forces with the Australian String Quartet and Ensemble Liaison, to create a vivid collaborative tapestry of rhythm, dance and storytelling drawn from across the globe. This is music rooted in community reimagined through the virtuosity of today’s leading performers.
The program centres on Antonín Dvořák’s Bagatelles Op. 47, written in 1878 for intimate music-making among friends. These five miniature gems weave folk-inflected rhythms, lilting melodies and a buoyant sense of invention to offer a warm window into Dvořák’s bohemian spirit. His deep affection for Czech dance forms permeates every page: rustic polkas, lyrical turns and playful exchanges shaped with the deftness of a composer able to elevate simple materials into finely wrought emotional worlds. The unusual inclusion of harmonium adds gentle nostalgia, evoking nineteenth-century village parlours and the domestic sociability from which so much folk tradition springs.
From this Czech heartland we travel north to Scotland, where classical accordion visionary James Crabb reimagines Four Scottish Folk Pieces with sparkling colour and precision. Shaped by centuries of oral tradition, these tunes celebrate the raw vitality of communal music-making and the distinctive contours of Scottish dance.
After interval, the program’s global pathways widen. Serbian-Canadian composer Ana Sokolović’s Serbian Tango blends Balkan asymmetries with the sultry sweep of tango, a cross-cultural embrace that reflects her own artistic identity. Elena Kats-Chernin’s Russian Rag – beloved as the theme for RN’s Late Night Live and written by arguably Canberra’s favourite contemporary composer – reinvents ragtime with humour, brilliance and unmistakable flair.
The pulse then shifts to Argentina with Astor Piazzolla’s rarely heard Suite Punta del Este, a thrilling synthesis of tango, classical counterpoint and jazz influence. Its Introducción, Coral and Fuga reveal the sophistication of nuevo tango, articulated through rhythmic drive and virtuosic ensemble interplay.
To close, Hungarian composer Béla Kovács’s Shalom alekhem pays homage to klezmer master Giora Feidman, echoing Jewish folk-song traditions with soulful lyricism and dancing clarinet lines.
Together, these works trace a celebratory journey through folk memory, global movement and the universal language of dance.
‘Familiar hooks with surprising detours. This is an uplifting, dance inflected concert guaranteed to get toes tapping’
Artists
James Crabb classical accordion
Lina Tur Bonet violin
David Campbell double bass
Australian String Quartet
Ensemble Liaison
Program
Antonín Dvořák (Czech Republic) Bagatelles, Op.47 for two violins, cello and harmonium
Four Scottish Folk Pieces arr. Crabb (Scotland)
Ana Sokolović (Serbia/Canada) Serbian Tango
Elena Kats-Chernin (Uzbekistan/Australia) Russian Rag
Astor Piazzolla (Argentina) arr. Crabb Suite Punta del Este
Introducción: Allegro pesante
Coral: Adagio
Fuga: Allegro vivace
Béla Kovács (Hungary) (arr. Griffiths) Shalom-alekhem, Rov Feidman
Duration: 100 min, incl. interval
ARTIST Learn more about the artist
Artist Australian String Quartet
The Australian String Quartet (ASQ) is Australia’s pre-eminent organisation dedicated to string quartet music and Quartet-in-Residence at the University of Adelaide’s Elder Conservatorium of Music.
Defined by excellence in performance and the joy of musical expression, the ASQ’s DNA comprises three inseparable parts. At the centre is the Quartet – four full-time musicians, each a creative force in crafting the world’s most dynamic and intimate music. Surrounding the Quartet is an innovative production company that presents, tours, records, and promotes exceptional artistry. Sustaining this, is a vital community of partners including a national Board, visionary Patron – Maria Myers AC, Major Partner – The University of Adelaide, Instrument Partner – UKARIA and Government Supporters.
Together, the ASQ celebrate music from the past to the present, from near and afar, and strive to reflect contemporary Australia through their performances, collaborations, advocacy, learning programs, and development of new work. Their landmark ASQ Australian Music Fund, supports the ensemble’s ground-breaking Australian Anthology project that proudly champions the work of Australian artists.
In their 40th year, they are energised by their purpose to create chemistry and amplify intimacy through experiences that engage people across regional and metropolitan Australia and around the world.
Dale Barltrop plays a 1784 Guadagnini Violin, Turin
Francesca Hiew plays a 1748-49 Guadagnini Violin, Piacenza
Chris Cartlidge plays a 1783 Guadagnini Viola, Turin
Michael Dahlenburg plays a c.1743 Guadagnini Violoncello, Piacenza ‘Ngeringa’
Photo credit: Laura Manariti
Artist James Crabb
Scottish born James Crabb is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading classical accordionists. He studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Music, Copenhagen with accordion pioneer Mogens Ellegaard, became professor there from 1995 until 2010, and was awarded the prestigious Carl Nielsen Music Prize, Denmark in 1991. He also held a long-standing guest professorship at the University in Graz, Austria.
James has collaborated with many of the most important 20th and 21st century composers including Sofia Gubaidulina, Thomas Adès, Harrison Birtwistle, Sally Beamish, Luciano Berio and has premiered countless concertos, chamber music and solo works dedicated to him. Recognised internationally as an authority on the music of Astor Piazzolla he was invited to curate the inaugural Piazzolla Festival in Buenos Aires in 2016. James has given the world premiere of Brett Dean’s accordion concerto The Players in Sweden, (recorded on the BIS label) and featured in the on-stage role in Dean’s opera Hamlet with Glyndebourne Opera, Cologne Opera, the Bavarian State Opera, Munich, at Adelaide Festival and for Opera Australia. Recent and upcoming projects include returns to the ACO, the AFCM, the UK for performances, including at Wigmore Hall, with Anthony Marwood and recitals at numerous music festivals around Australia.
James is a passionate and sought-after music educator and mentor, and whilst Artistic Director of the Four Winds Festival in Bermagui, curated both the Easter and inaugural Youth Festivals and developed the local school’s music education program.
Photo credit: Christoffer Askman
Artist Lina Tur Bonet
Internationally acclaimed for her virtuosity (Fiery virtuoso THE STRAD, True Devil’s Violinist BAYERISCHE RUNDFUNK, Superbement joué DIAPASON, Echte Virtuosin RONDO), her uncommon musicality (honest and heartfelt music-making GRAMOPHONE, the violinist of the soul SANKEI SHINBUN), her blend of creativity (great ornamental skills, true fire of art CLASSICA), energy (Lina shines SAN DIEGO TRIBUNE), and stylistic rigor (strong historical playfulness RONDO, extended colour palette, a finely constructed rhetoric CLASSICA), Lina Tur Bonet has developed a versatile and unique career as a violinist and conductor.
From a very young age, Lina worked in world-class ensembles under the batons of Abbado, Gardiner, Harding, Minkowski, Christie, Currentzis, Gatti, Marriner, Nagano, Biondi, Dantone, Goebel, Egarr, and Carmignola, and shared the stage in chamber music with Zacharias, Pressler, de Figueiredo, Onofri, and Kossenko, appearing at the Sydney Opera House, Lincoln Center, Bunkamura Hall, the London Proms, and the Berliner Philharmonie.
She is the concertmaster of Le Concert des Nations with Jordi Savall and has led Il Complesso Barocco, Liceu de Barcelona, Concerto Köln, Hofkapelle Munich, Orchestre d’Auvergne, ONE, and many others.
Lina conducts regularly Tafelmusik Toronto, Barokkanerne Oslo, Orchestre de Chambre Toulouse, Barroca de Sevilla, Jerusalem Baroque Orchestra, Camerata Villa Musica Mainz, Haydn Philharmonie Eisenstadt, Ciudad de Granada, and Recreation Styriarte Graz.
Lina has toured as a soloist worldwide, appearing at the Wigmore Hall, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Philharmonie St. Petersburg, Potsdamer Festival, Trigonale Klagenfurt, Bachfest Leipzig, Potsdamer Festspiele, Musashino Hall Tokyo, Israel, NYC, Montreal Baroque, Musikverein, Konzerthaus Wien, and more.
Her 18 solo CDs have been chosen as Best Version by the BBC, Reference for Gramophone, Best Version for Radio France Musique and Scherzo, and Recommended by German radio stations, earning several Diapason d’Or, E for Scherzo, R for Rhythm, and Melómano d’Or, Choc de Classica. Joker by Crescendo, 5* Rondo, 10* Luister, Opus Klassik and ICMA nominations. Her Ravel recording was Best CD of the Year in Japan.
Tur Bonet holds the position of professor of Baroque violin and viola at the MHS Franz Liszt Weimar.
Photo credit: Michal Novak
Lina is supported by 
Artist Ensemble Liaison
Described by Limelight magazine as a ‘national treasure’, Ensemble Liaison is one of Australia’s leading internationally acclaimed ensembles. The Ensemble was founded in 2007 by David Griffiths (clarinet) Svetlana Bogosavljević (cello) and Timothy Young (piano) who each have leading reputations as solo instrumentalists on an international level. They presented their first concert series at The Edge, Melbourne, in 2007 and have become known as a tour de force, recognised for imaginative and innovative programming, setting the trend for brilliant collaborations with leading artists.
In addition to being co-presented by the Melbourne Recital Centre for 15 years, Ensemble Liaison have appeared at the nation’s premier festivals including the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, Melbourne International Arts Festival, Port Fairy and Woodend Winter Arts Festivals. For their 20th Anniversary season they were featured as part of the Live At Yours Series in both Sydney and Melbourne.
Further afield the Ensemble have toured New Zealand for Chamber Music NZ and in 2012 gave a series of festival performances in Central Europe. In 2021 they appeared at the Mimir Chamber Music Festival, Texas and as a global featured artist at the International ClarinetFest from Fort Worth Texas. Next season they look forward to appearances at the Mahler Festival in Austria and the Ravanelius Festival in Serbia.
The creation of new works is also a priority for Ensemble Liaison, with commissions by Paul Stanhope, Paul Grabowsky, John Novacek, Ian Munro, Gordon Kerry, Tony Gould, Stuart Greenbaum, Elena Kats-Chernin, Jane Hammond, Michael Dooley, Aleksandar Sedlar, Mark Viggiani and Mary Finsterer. Countless arrangements by the trio have also formed an integral part of their programming and artistic vision.
Ensemble Liaison have released 6 internationally acclaimed recordings including the 2024 release of ‘Crossing Paths’ (MOVE Records). They have also recorded with Melba Recordings, Tall Poppies, ABC Classics labels, as well as their own highly successful EL Records. And, they are firm broadcast favourites with ABC Classic and 3MBS.
Photo credit: Laura Manariti