Preserving a Large Tango Band

The tango orchestras of Argentina, like America’s big swing and jazz bands, diminished in number and influence after the arrival of rock in the ‘50s and ‘60s. And Juan-Jose Mosalini, who brought his Grand Orchestra de Tango to the Veterans Wadsworth Theater on Sunday, is a firm believer in the continued musical relevance of the large tango ensemble. Like Bill Holman, Wynton Marsalis, Maria Schneider and others who continue to find inspiration in the big-band jazz format, Mosalini is working hard to preserve the large tango orchestra.

His Paris-based, 11-piece ensemble’s engaging performance made it clear that he is doing so--not in an archival sense, but in a convincing effort to demonstrate the enduring contemporary relevance of the music.

The evening began somewhat slowly, however. Tango, for many, is a visual expression, intimately related to a sensual dance form. And the Grand Orchestra’s first few numbers initially left one hoping for some sort of visual reference. But as the subtleties of the music unfolded, the performance itself took hold.

Mosalini, an Argentine who has lived in Europe for two decades, could never be accused of being a charismatic figure, nor were his musicians particularly extroverted. But violinist Nicholas Dupin, cellist Marie-Claude Douvrain and pianist Fernando Maguna brought some passionate moments to their solos, and the constantly shifting, intriguing qualities of the music were enough to bring shouts of encouragement from a knowledgeable, capacity audience.