Karin Eckstein - Bandoneon

Karin Eckstein plays the 142tone bandoneon, the authentic instrument of the Argentinian Tango.

After studying music (piano and organ) she studied the bandoneon with Peter Reil (Berlin).

She subsequently undertook six years of studies at the conservatory of Gennevilliers / Paris with one of the world’s most famous bandoneon-players, Juan José Mosalini. In 2003 she passed her examination with distinction.

Her wide repertoire covers traditional Argentinian tango, Tango Nuevo and contemporary music as well as jazz. Her studies in Paris have enabled her to present the major works written for bandoneon solo.

The development of the Tango after Piazzolla is also an important aspect of Karin Eckstein’s artistic career. Therefore she works as a composer and an arranger. Since 2018 she has studied composition with Exequiel Mantega (Buenos Aires), one of the leading artists of the younger generation in Buenos Aires.

Various journeys to Buenos Aires and other cities in Argentina and Uruguay have brought her into contact with legendary bandoneon-players and the roots of Argentinian music. She is a member of various tango groups and performs regularly in concerts and milongas, amongst others with guests from Argentina and Uruguay (see Ensembles).

She performs as bandoneon soloist in famous works such as Piazzolla’s “Aconcagua – concerto for bandoneon and orchestra” and “Misa a Buenos Aires – Misa Tango” by Martín Palmeri.

She performed as the bandoneon soloist in Piazzolla’s “Maria de Buenos Aires” at several theatres such as the „Staatstheater Wiesbaden“ and the „Stadttheater Konstanz. She has also taken part in various Films and TV-productions.

A further aspect of her musical work is focused on the possibilities of the bandoneon-sound in other genres.

Repertoire:

Traditional Tango Argentino: Argentinian Tangos, Milongas und Valses from the Guardia Vieja to Tango Nuevo

Arrangements for Bandoneon solo by Leopoldo Federico, Julio Pane, Daniel Binelli, Nestor Marconi etc.

Solo Repertoire:

Astor Piazzolla:
Aconcagua – Concerto for Bandoneon and Orchestra
Double Concerto for Bandoneon, Guitar and String Orchestra
Maria de Buenos Aires
The four seasons (Cuatro Estaciones)
Four Tango sensations
Oblivion / Libertango etc.

Martín Palmeri:
Misa a Buenos Aires (Misa Tango)
Magnificat
Genesis: The first book of Moses
Sobre las estaciones

Luis Bacalov:
Misa Tango
Soundtrack of “Il Postino” (The Postman)

Kurt Weill:
Die Dreigroschenoper (The Threepenny Opera)
Mahagonny
Kleine Dreigroschenmusik (Suite from „Die Dreigroschenoper“ arranged for wind orchestra by Weill)