“Sacred vs. Profane: The History of the Bandoneon”

World-renowned bandoneon player Julien Labro pairs with Latin Grammy–nominated pianist Ahmed Alom to present an enticing program entitled “Sacred vs. Profane: The History of the Bandoneon.”

“Sacred vs. Profane” traces the remarkable journey of an instrument whose story spans continents, cultures, and musical worlds. Invented in 19th-century Germany for devotional music, the bandoneon was originally intended to bring the sound of the organ into small churches and community gatherings. Over time, the instrument crossed the Atlantic and found a new voice in the cafés, dance halls, and streets of Buenos Aires, becoming the unmistakable voice of tango.

In this program, Labro explores that transformation through a musical narrative moving from Bach and Franck to Piazzolla and contemporary composers. Blending classical repertoire with tango and modern works, the recital reveals the bandoneon’s unique voice—capable of both prayerful introspection and fiery passion—and highlights how one instrument came to bridge the worlds of sacred tradition and expressive dance.

More Information About the Performers:

Julien Labro has been hailed as “the next accordion star” by the Chicago Tribune and described as “a triple threat: brilliant technician, poetic melodist, and cunning arranger.” Internationally recognized as one of the foremost accordion and bandoneon soloists of his generation, Labro brings uncommon versatility to the concert stage, moving fluidly between classical, jazz, tango, and world music. As a performer, composer, and arranger, he is known for concept-driven, presenter-friendly programs that captivate audiences while pushing musical boundaries.

Born in France, Labro began playing the accordion at the age of nine, shaped early by traditional folk music and the lyricism of French chanson. His artistic voice expanded through a deep engagement with jazz, inspired by its freedom, originality, and expressive possibilities. After graduating from the Marseille Conservatory of Music, he won top prizes in major international competitions, including the Coupe Mondiale and the Castelfidardo competitions, as well as first prizes at the Marcel Azzola, Jo Privat, and Médard Ferrero competitions. In 1998, he relocated to the United States to further pursue his musical vision, completing advanced studies in classical music, jazz, and composition.

Labro has appeared as a guest soloist with leading orchestras worldwide, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, the New World Symphony, the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Pops Orchestra, the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra. His chamber collaborators include the Knights, A Far Cry, the MET Orchestra Chamber Ensemble, Ensemble Vivant of Toronto, Curtis On Tour, and Camerata Pacifica. He is also a trusted performer in orchestral and ballet repertoire requiring accordion or bandoneon, with appearances alongside the New York Philharmonic and New York City Ballet.

Ahmed Alom is a pianist, composer, and conductor whose boundary-crossing artistry has earned him recognition as “one of the most versatile artists in the Western Hemisphere” (Diario de Mallorca).

In 2025, he was named a Rising Star of the Cleveland Chamber Music Society, received a Latin Grammy nomination with Pedrito Martínez’s Ilusión Óptica as performer and arranger, appeared as guest artist and jury member at the Santander International Piano Festival in Colombia, and joined the Moab Music Festival as featured artist.

Alom’s musical voice, shaped by the rigor of classical training and the rhythmic vitality of his Cuban heritage, bridges genres and traditions. His compositions have been championed by leading artists, most notably Yuja Wang, who premiered his Displaced Étude No. 1 with the New York Philharmonic. As a soloist, he has appeared with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Louisville Orchestra, New World Symphony, Orquesta Filarmónica de la Ciudad de México, and Britt Festival Orchestra.

A dynamic collaborator, Alom works with artists such as Michael League, Antonio Sánchez, Teddy Abrams, Steve Hackman, Miguel Zenón, Mark Dover, and Brandon Ridenour. His ensembles reflect his wide-ranging interests: Triple Cortado—a chamber trio with Caleb Hudson and Achilles Liarmakopoulos—merges classical virtuosity with contemporary works, while CrossCurrents, his duo with Pedrito Martínez, explores the intersection of Afro-Cuban traditions and European classical music. His debut album, Exilio (2023), traced narratives of displacement through six Hispanic composers, including the first complete recording of Luis A. Calvo’s four intermezzos.

The views expressed by performers during this event are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Cleveland Museum of Art.