Guitarras Porteñas
Within tango there are various types of ensembles in which the guitar always played an important role. The guitar quartet is one of the most obvious. The use of 3 guitars and 1 guitarron makes it possible to use the timbre of the guitar to it’s fullest capacity and to reproduce the rhythmic diversity of the tango very well.
This type of ensemble has its roots in the early days of the development of Argentinean tango and has remained pivotal to this date.
Besides instrumental pieces the guitar quartet also accompanies vocal pieces. Various famous singers like Carlos Gardel, Roberto Goyeneche and Nelly Omar have been singing while accompanied by a guitar quartet.
Guitarras Porteñas, under direction of Kay Sleking, is the guitar ensemble of the Department of Argentinean Tango. Guitarras Portenas plays milongas, tango and walzes from the period of the Guardia vieja (beginning of tango) up to now. The ensemble, consisting of three guitars, the lower tuned guitarrón and double bass, is sometimes extended with bandoneón, violin or voice.
Line up Guitarras Porteñas:
Guitar: Mirek Walton, Jantine Koudijzer, Stijn Blokker, Lotte Brekelmans/Markos Triantafyllides.
Guitarrón, doublebass and direction: Kay Sleking
