For those unaware, pianist and composer Håkon Skogstad has just released his new album, 8 Concepts of Tango, the sequel to Norwegian Grammy-awarded Visions of Tango from 2021.

The album is the third installment of Skogstad’s tango trilogy, where the aim has been to develop a new musical style in the wake of Astor Piazzolla.

On 8 Concepts of Tango, Skogstad performs in the company of seven hand-picked musicians - all experts in the Argentine tango/classical music segment.

Håkon Skogstad (b.1989) is a prize-awarded pianist and composer holding degrees in classical performance from Oslo and New York as well as a PhD in Artistic Research from NTNU, Trondheim. He has performed in ensembles and as soloist throughout Norway and played concerts in the U.S., Argentina, Germany, Austria, Spain and Sweden.

He has also composed several large-scale works on commission. Skogstad released five critically acclaimed tango recordings both in groups and as soloist in the period of 2008-2021.

1. Caserón Porteño
2. Retroreflections
3. A Contemplative Rhapsody
4. Tango contra Tango
5. The Anvil
6. Romance para Ocho
7. Battaglia
8. Lamento

On this multifaceted, multi-layered new recording, Skogstad opens up on the spirited Caserón Porteño and then we are brought forth the more meditative Retroreflections, the aptly-titled A Contemplative Rhapsody, the fervently sculpted Tango contra Tango, and they are in turn backed seamlessly by the forthright endeavors found sewn within The Anvil, the recording rounding out on the delicately-hued Romance para Ocho, the euphorically-charged Battaglia, closing on the, for the most part stoic, and yet optimistically assured throughout, Lamento.

Musicians:
Håkon Skogstad – pianist & composer
Andreas Rokseth – bandoneón
Åsbjørg Ryeng - bandoneón
Sveinung Lillebjerka - violin
Anders Larsen - violin
Bergmund Waal Skaslien - viola
Marit Aspaas - cello
Ole Schøyen Sjölin - double bass

www.hmskogstad.net