Tambuco Percussion Ensemble of Mexico

4-Time Grammy-Nominated Percussion Ensemble

November 10, 2020, 3PM
First Congregational Church Auditorium
10 W. Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves
FREE (donation appreciated, limited seating)

Nominated four times for the GRAMMY, including Best Classical Music Album and Best Chamber Ensemble, Tambuco was founded in 1993 by four distinguished Mexican musicians. Considered one of the finest and most innovative groups in the world, Tambuco is known for their repertoire of contemporary percussion music.

What mesmerising creativity! A Tour de Force of subtle and forceful artistry. The members of Tambuco are chameleons on dozens of instruments. Oh, to hear these performers in this music in actual concert! - Gramophone Magazine

The timpanist Ricardo Gallardo and his three Tambuco associates are kept busy, but even in pieces like "Xochipilli, an Imaginary Aztec Music" or the Partita for Solo Timpani, a sense of neatness hangs over such naturally theatrical opportunities.
Bernard Holland (The New York Times)

Tambuco Percussion Ensemble of Mexico, in concert
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NP5lJkAuBoA&feature=youtu.be

Great virtuosity and theatricality of Tambuco. Put Ben-Dor and her enthusiasms together with players of this caliber and Santa Barbara could really produce a world-class festival...On this occasion Kronos Quartet was joined by Mexico City percussion ensemble Tambuco. Very impressive! - Mark Swed (Los Angeles Times)

With the highest artistry, Tambuco illustrated a thousand hyper-inventive ways to create unorthodox sounds. They even drew pitches out of seemingly non-pitch instruments. The music explored the outer dimensions of percussive sound, and the Cuarteto worked wonders with myriad instruments and even the musicians' bodies (hands, wrists, fingertips, voices). Through all these multi-soundscapes, the Mexicans' exciting approach never sacrificed the music's aesthetic meaning to their unmistakable technical virtuosity - Cecelia Porter (The Washington Post)

Kronos were at their best working with Tambuco Percussion Ensemble from Mexico City, which added a thrusting integrity to the string quartet's music. Tambuco’s kettle drums, marimba and other mallet instruments were used on Silvestre Revueltas' "Sensemaya" and the encores, Margarita Lecuona's "Tabu" and Perez Prado's "Mambo en sax" -- though the Kronos members appeared to react with extra enthusiasm and exactness in the collaborative effort. Tambuco gave the music backbone, aiding the festive nature of the tunes that were already plenty perky to start. - Phil Gallo (Variety)

Nov 10 at 3 PM

IMI Artist-Residency, Nov 7-12, 2019. To book Tambuco for workshop/ concert during the residency period, please call IMI at 314-652-6800