SONICO
“Sonico is dedicated to bringing Rovira’s work to a wider audience. For those who take pleasure in Piazzolla’s music, Rovira’s should prove similarly gratifying if not a revelation (Sonico has released two terrific albums, with a third on the way) (…) Perhaps it’s because Piazzolla broadened the parameters of what a tango can be that we’re now able to appreciate Rovira’s genius as well.”
Gramophone magazine, July 2021
It is a (almost) a rule in music history that some immensely talented musicians fail to receive the recognition they deserve during their lifetimes. In Argentina, Eduardo Rovira serves as a poignant example. Often referred to as "the other Astor Piazzolla," Rovira was a visionary composer who transformed tango with his innovations. Despite his gcontributions, his music largely faded into obscurity following his untimely death in 1980 at the age of 55. The Belgian ensemble SONICO, formed in Brussels in 2015, has taken on the vital mission of reviving Rovira's music and ensuring his legacy endures. Initially a quartet, SONICO has since evolved into a multinational ensemble of ten musicians, one of the rare modern tango orchestras active in Europe.
SONICO has distinguished itself through its meticulous archival research and their transcriptions have resurrected lost and previously unreleased repertoire. The systematic recovery of these contemporary classics, combined with the instrumental and stylistic perfection, is something that did not previously exist in tango music. Thanks to SONICO’s efforts, there has been a renewed appreciation of Rovira’s unique contributions, which charted an independent and radically original path distinct from his contemporary, Piazzolla.
The ensemble’s journey began with their debut album, Eduardo Rovira: La Otra Vanguardia, released in August 2018. This marked the first album exclusively dedicated to Rovira’s works since his death. Premiered at the Tango Festival BA in Buenos Aires, the album was part of SONICO’s inaugural Latin American tour. It was followed by Eduardo Rovira: Inédito e Inconcluso in March 2020, a project that involved reconstructing Rovira’s lost recordings from 1976.
SONICO’s commitment to artistic innovation has led to collaborations with prominent choreographers like Lisi Estarás, resulting in productions such as MY HEART IS THE MUSCLE THAT WE LIKE TO WORK OUT. This dance creation premiered at De Grote Post in Ostend and was featured in Paris at Les Plateaux. In March 2021, SONICO paid tribute to Astor Piazzolla’s 100th birthday at the Klara Festival at BOZAR, Brussels. The concert, broadcast nationally, became the festival’s most-watched performance. During the pandemic, SONICO overcame global challenges to embark on a second Latin American tour, presenting Eduardo Rovira: Inédito e Inconcluso in Ecuador and Colombia.
The ensemble’s third album, Piazzolla-Rovira: The Edge of Tango, debuted in 2021. This ambitious project juxtaposed Piazzolla’s Octeto Buenos Aires with Rovira’s Octeto La Plata, recovering lost and damaged scores. Accompanied by a Benelux tour with over 50 performances, this work highlighted SONICO’s ability to bridge historical recovery with dynamic modern interpretation.
In 2022, SONICO participated in A BIGGER THING, a collaboration with Lisi Estarás and the Opera Ballet van Vlaanderen. This production marked the first staging of Rovira’s ballet Tango Buenos Aires. SONICO’s artistry was further showcased during their third Latin American tour, which included debut performances in Brazil. These tours reinforced their role as ambassadors of avant-garde tango, presenting innovative programming that resonated across diverse audiences.
In January 2024, SONICO released Five, Six, Seven, Eight..., their fourth album, at BOZAR in Brussels. Following this, they embarked on a European tour, performing at esteemed venues like De Bijloke in Ghent, Concertgebouw Bruges, Heidelberger Frühling, Tonhalle Düsseldorf, Forum am Schlosspark Ludwigsburg and Philharmonie Luxembourg. The ensemble made its debut at the Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall in Istanbul, underscoring their growing international reach.
Beyond album releases, SONICO has been actively involved in educational initiatives and cultural programming. They have delivered workshops and masterclasses to promote the richness of modern tango, inspiring a new generation of musicians and enthusiasts.
The ROVIRA 100 celebration, coinciding with Eduardo Rovira’s centenary and SONICO’s 10th anniversary in 2025, is set to be a milestone in the ensemble’s history. Upcoming activities include their fourth Latin American tour with performances across Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay, as well as a recording session in Buenos Aires for their fifth album, ROVIRA 100. This album will revisit Rovira’s landmark records Sónico (1969) and Que lo Paren (1975), introducing his most iconic works to contemporary audiences.
Following their Latin American journey, SONICO will return to Europe to debut at venues like the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg in Germany, SPOT Groningen in the Netherlands, and Grande Salle au Cercle Cité in Luxembourg. They will also participate in prestigious festivals, including Pietrasanta in Concerto (Italy) and the Lenzburgiade Festival (Switzerland). Highlighting the celebrations will be the premiere of a tango-symphonic program in collaboration with the Brussels Philharmonic at BOZAR in March 2026. This ambitious production, titled Sinfonía de Tango, will blend orchestral arrangements with Rovira’s avant-garde sensibilities, offering a modern interpretation of tango’s symphonic potential.
In addition to live performances, SONICO will present The Future Was Today, a multimedia concert experience inspired by 1970s late-night shows. This production will incorporate audiovisual elements and anecdotes from their South American tour, engaging audiences with an immersive exploration of Rovira’s legacy.
With a dynamic lineup of musicians including Lysandre Donoso, Carmela Delgado, Stephen Meyer, Daniel Hurtado Jiménez, Kaat Verheyen, Bartosz Korus, Guillaume Lagravière, Alejandro Schwarz, Ariel Eberstein, and Ivo De Greef, SONICO continues to innovate while honoring its mission. Their relentless dedication ensures that Rovira’s revolutionary contributions to tango remain vibrant and accessible to audiences worldwide.
