The Works：Interivew with Max Richter & in the studio: tango from Cafe 852

Later in tonight’s show we’re off to Argentina, in our minds at least, as local ensemble Café 852 takes us back to the cafes and ballrooms of Buenos Aires with a tango song from one of its best known proponents Carlos Gardel. Before the passion of the tango though, a composer whose work has often raised a wide range of music listeners, and even film and TV viewers. German born British composer, Max Richter’s music has been heard in TV series from The “Leftovers" to "Taboo", and in movies from "Shutter Island" to "Mary Queen of Scots". He’s also written ballet, opera, and stage works, and even an eight-and-a-half-hour piece designed to help you sleep. Earlier this month, he came to Hong Kong for two concerts with the Hong Kong Philharmonic, in which he played “Recomposed” a new interpretation of Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” and his 2002 debut album, “Memoryhouse”.
Formed in 2016, the locally-based ensemble Café 852 performs Argentine tango and milonga, Eastern European gypsy music, and gypsy-inspired jazz. Whichever form of music it’s playing, the group likes to perform with dancers to recreate the full atmosphere. Early in the week, Café 852 came to our studio and Billy Lee, presenter of our sister programme, 藝坊星期天 talked to them about the sights and sounds of tango.