The Radio Big Band is preparing the Big Tango Band concert for Thursday evening, showcasing Argentine tangos re-orchestrated in a unique way. We will learn more about this event from our two guests, vocalist Analia Selis and pianist/arranger Mariano Castro, as well as conductor Simona Strungaru. They were all interviewed in the rehearsal hall by Viorel Grecu.

Analia, you are a regular at the Radio Hall and have collaborated with several ensembles from Radio Romania. What experiences have you had at the Radio Hall - which ones were the most enjoyable or significant for you? I know you even performed with the Radio Big Band some time ago. What are your expectations for this upcoming event, which promises to be something truly special?

Analia Selis: Every concert I've had at the Radio Hall has been significant and wonderful. Radio Romania, the Radio Hall, is a place that feels very close to my heart. I know it well; when I walk in, it feels familiar, and that brings me great joy.

In fact, just yesterday, after our rehearsal, I was reflecting on the fact that the most beautiful aspect of the work Mariano and I have been doing - since we began these symphonic projects with various orchestras and musicians - is the shared experience of connecting with these musicians through the music we love so dearly.

Right from the very first meeting, you can tell, just by looking around the room, whether or not the project is being well received. I was truly delighted yesterday, at the first rehearsal, to sense a wonderful energy that guarantees the success of the concert. Ultimately, what stays with me is the collaboration with each individual musician; the Radio Jazz Orchestra is a group that is deeply cared for and filled with fine musicians. It is an honor for me.

Mariano, I'd like to ask you, since you handled the arrangements, how you transformed the Radio Big Band into a "Big Tango Band." While other jazz-tango fusions exist, I'm not aware of any in this specific big-band format.

Mariano Castro: Well, it was a major challenge. Analia called me and asked, "Is something like this even possible?" I said yes, but when I started considering the aesthetic, how a big band might sound in a tango style, I had two options: write in a jazz big-band style, or write in a tango style, the way we actually play tango. Naturally, as an Argentine, I decided we should play in the tango style.

So, how do we approach the big band? We play the way we musicians from Argentina play, essentially transcribing arrangements from traditional tango orchestras for a big-band ensemble. My initial intention was for it to sound like tango - more chamber-like, with less of a jazz feel, firmly rooted in the realm of Argentine tango.

Without a bandoneon, though?

Mariano Castro: No bandoneon; with so many wind instruments, that's already plenty. The bandoneon is a rather delicate instrument - it's tricky to balance with other sounds. So, the goal wasn't to replicate the exact sound of a traditional tango orchestra, but rather to adapt that style for a big band.

I'm very happy with the Radio Big Band and Simona Strungaru, because they took on the challenge of playing in this style, which is no easy feat.

And now, let's turn to Simona. The word "challenge" has already come up several times. And that's actually what I wanted to ask you - all of you in the Radio Big Band - how do you handle this challenge? The season has only just begun, and you've already had three radically different concerts.

Simona Strungaru: Yes, it's a great joy, a real pleasure, and I feel it's also an opportunity for artistic growth and development for all of us. The writing is very close to classical composition. Furthermore, the orchestrations created by Mariano Castro and Analia Selis's performance are a huge inspiration for how we approach this music. There is a deep passion inherent in tango and in the message conveyed by these pieces. Analia has told us about many of them, including the stylistic differences between milonga and vals-tango - and there is so much fascinating detail that the audience will surely learn about directly from Analia during the concert. All these elements are a genuine pleasure for me - and for all of us.

I'm glad we have this chance to perform tango; many of us in the Big Band have a classical background, so you simply have to tap into a specific kind of focus to rise to the challenge. It truly makes this concert very special for us.